US President Donald Trump declared that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) is managed by “a group of radical lunatics” who will terminate all personnel.

This statement follows the Trump administration’s decision to halt all USAID initiatives globally for three months, with exceptions made only for strictly humanitarian efforts.

The organization’s website, which previously reported an annual revenue of $43 billion, is currently inaccessible, and numerous employees have either been terminated or placed on forced leave.

This situation has likely impacted hundreds of thousands globally, including individuals from Afghanistan, India, the Gaza Strip, and the Balkans, who have engaged with USAID in various capacities.

Trump’s advisors are reportedly considering completely dismantling the agency. Elon Musk has stated that Trump has concurred with this idea.

An influential figure in Trump’s inner circle described USAID as a “snake den of radical Marxists who despise America” and a “criminal organization.” He further asserted that USAID misused taxpayer funds to “finance research into biological weapons, including COVID-19, which has caused millions of deaths.” However, he did not provide further details on these claims, which had previously been associated with Russian disinformation efforts by the former US administration.

Multiple American news outlets, including CNN and the New York Times, reported that individuals connected to Musk attempted to obtain classified information at USAID’s Washington headquarters. Two executives who refused were subsequently dismissed.

Challenges for Many in Serbia

“The likelihood of receiving even a single dinar in the next three months is less than one percent, despite having a signed contract,” stated a DW correspondent from Serbia, whose organization had previously relied on USAID funding.

“And even after that, the chances of any financial support from there while Trump is in office are minimal,” this source continued.

This predicament has created significant difficulties for several non-governmental organizations and small independent media outlets, many of which have been adversely affected.

The “Justice for All” initiative, executed in collaboration with the Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights (YUCOM), has already been halted. Research groups such as BIRN and organizations monitoring electoral and democratic processes, like CRTA, have also received funding through USAID.

Many of these organizations are critical of the Serbian authorities or media outlets that have maintained professional integrity against financial overtures from those aligned with the Serbian Progressive Party.

However, many observers note that state and local governments have historically been the largest recipients of funds.

USAID in Serbia: Over Two Decades and Nearly a Billion Dollars

In 2022, USAID marked its 20th year of operations in Serbia and revealed that it has allocated $882 million during this time for local government initiatives, ambulance purchases, and for bolstering the economy and legal systems.

“In court, one would struggle to find a single computer, chair, table, or any item devoid of a sticker indicating it was funded by either the EU or USAID,” remarked lawyer Mihailo Pavlović, who collaborates with various NGOs, during an interview with N1.

Over the years, USAID has collaborated with approximately 500 civil society organizations and around 250 media outlets throughout Serbia.

It played a role in establishing the National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED), where a senior official is also the Parliament Speaker, Ana Brnabić.

Celebration from Those in Power

However, Serbian authorities have greeted the cutoff of American development aid with enthusiasm, claiming that Washington will no longer fund “colored revolutions.”

President Aleksandar Vučić has characterized the protests against his administration as the last desperate effort before Trump stops the funding.

“And now it’s dissipating rapidly in all directions. The outcome will be incredibly positive, albeit accompanied by various challenges, as numerous issues regarding funding will emerge,” he stated.

Prominent SNS MP and lawyer Vladimir Đukanović has called for a “thorough investigation” of all USAID-funded projects in Serbia.

Sources from DW suggest that Vučić may have some influence in Washington through Trump’s associate Richard Grenell, especially since he chose to donate land from the General Staff in Belgrade to Trump’s son-in-law for hotel development.

“If this is accurate, it’s unlikely that Americans will recommence funding for civil society sectors and media in Serbia during Trump’s administration,” remarked one interlocutor.

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