As Samantha Power, USAID administrator for the Biden-Harris administration, highlighted U.S. involvement in Ukraine's energy preservation, her video incited backlash during a coinciding energy crisis in the U.S. triggered by Hurricane Helene according to Breitbart.
This incident saw USAID promoting its energy project in Ukraine against the backdrop of severe power outages in the US, drawing widespread criticism.
On a recent trip to Ukraine, Power filmed a video at a Western Ukrainian energy substation that serves around 500,000 residents.
The focus of her message was to showcase an autotransformer, previously destroyed by Russian military forces in 2022, illustrating the challenges faced in maintaining energy supplies during wartime. USAID's continued efforts aim to replace and bolster Ukraine's energy infrastructure with American taxpayer dollars.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across several U.S. states, leaving nearly 700,000 homes and businesses without electricity. The most severe outages were reported in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. Asheville, North Carolina, was particularly hard hit, with significant destruction and prolonged power losses.
The timing of Power’s video did not go unnoticed. It was published as many Americans were grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Critics argued that the video was insensitive, pointing out the irony of celebrating power maintenance abroad while many Americans remained in the dark.
Photographer Anna Hitrova, suffering from a prolonged power outage herself, voiced her frustration publicly.
Her reaction encapsulated the sentiment of many Hurricane Helene victims when she remarked on the conditions under which she watched the video: at sunset, in a power-less home.
Richard Grenell, former acting director of national intelligence, was particularly outspoken. He criticized the U.S. government’s apparent disregard for the domestic crisis, focusing instead on its foreign aid during such a devastating time for many citizens.
Power described the strategic importance of the substation, saying, "I’m standing in front of an autotransformer that used to provide power, but that Putin’s forces destroyed back in 2022.” She further detailed USAID's plans, highlighting the double investment in infrastructure protection and restoration before the winter season – efforts made possible by the American public's funding.
The contrast between Power's intentions in Ukraine and the situation in the U.S. could not have been starker. Grenell’s harsh critique summarized the national sentiment, labeling the administration’s focus as 'tone-deaf,' considering the ongoing domestic crisis.
While Power and the Biden-Harris administration may argue the global strategic importance of their actions in Ukraine, the juxtaposition of images of robust aid abroad against scenes of destruction at home fueled the controversy.
The problem was compounded by the specifics of the crisis: over 200 Americans had died as a result of Hurricane Helene, and thousands faced total devastation, particularly in areas like Asheville where Grenell pointed out the infrastructure was "wiped out."
In responding to the backlash, there has yet to be an official from USAID or the Biden-Harris administration to address the critics directly.
The administration has often cited the broader implications of supporting Ukraine during the ongoing conflict with Russia as part of its foreign policy strategy.
As winter approaches and both countries face their respective challenges, the narrative around foreign aid versus domestic relief efforts continues to unfold. The story of two energy crises, one aggravated by natural disasters and the other by geopolitical conflict, has opened a complex dialogue on governmental priorities and the optics of aid distribution.