U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the United States is not a charity during testimony on Tuesday.
The remarks signal a shift toward a more transactional approach to foreign diplomacy. By framing the State Department's mission as a pursuit of national victory rather than humanitarian aid, the administration is redefining its global engagement strategy.
Rubio appeared before the committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to make the case for the State Department’s 2027 budget [2]. During the proceedings, he discussed U.S. policy toward Iran and the strategic priorities of the department.
"The U.S. government is not a charity," Rubio said. "We are not here to play social worker. We are here to win — to win for our country, for our people, and for our interests."
Rubio said that the State Department exists to ensure the U.S. wins for its interests and people. He said that this specific principle has guided every decision the department has made since January 2025 [1].
The testimony comes as the administration seeks approval for the upcoming fiscal year's funding [2]. The focus on national interest over global social work suggests a pivot in how the U.S. allocates resources and manages diplomatic relations with adversarial nations.
Rubio said that the role of the State Department is to prioritize the American people. He said that the government is not acting as a social worker on the global stage.
“The U.S. government is not a charity.”
This testimony reflects a move toward 'America First' diplomacy, where foreign aid and diplomatic engagement are viewed through the lens of strategic gain rather than humanitarian obligation. By explicitly rejecting the role of 'social worker,' the administration is signaling to both allies and adversaries that U.S. support is contingent upon the direct advancement of U.S. national interests.
