Recent changes initiated by the Trump administration have significantly disrupted the operations of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which is tasked with delivering humanitarian assistance internationally. A number of senior officials have been put on leave, numerous contractors have been laid off, and a sweeping freeze on billions of dollars in foreign aid has been enforced.
In response to these developments, Democratic senators expressed their concerns on Friday, cautioning the Trump administration against any attempts to dismantle USAID as an independent entity. This comes amid rising apprehension among supporters of the agency regarding potential plans for its elimination. Senator Chris Murphy, along with several other Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, asserted that President Trump lacks the legal authority to terminate the agency.
Relief organizations have voiced their worries about the funding freeze, which has left them debating whether they can continue critical programs. This includes vital initiatives that offer immediate nutritional support for severely malnourished infants and children. Organizations know that halting these services could lead to devastating consequences, including potential fatalities among vulnerable populations.
Current and former USAID and State Department officials revealed that staff had been encouraged to submit requests for certain programs to be exempted from the aid freeze imposed on January 20. The State Department provided guidance on how to implement this freeze on January 24. However, just three days later, over 50 senior career officials at USAID found themselves unexpectedly placed on administrative leave.
Sources indicated that many of those placed on leave were lawyers involved in assessing which programs could qualify for exceptions. They had been assisting in drafting proposals and filing waiver requests under the impression they were invited to do so. Officials requested anonymity due to fears of retaliation, noting that an internal administration directive has created a chilling effect, making organizations hesitant to speak out for fear of losing U.S. funding permanently.
In an internal memo regarding the recent staffing changes, Jason Gray, the acting USAID administrator, indicated that the agency had taken steps that seemed intended to sidestep the President’s Executive Orders and the will of the American public. Gray stated that a group of USAID employees had been placed on paid administrative leave while the agency conducted a thorough investigation of these actions.
A former senior official from USAID noted that many of those on leave were instrumental in helping aid organizations navigate a complex waiver process for essential life-saving projects, such as the provision of clean water in conflict-affected areas. Additionally, some affected staff were attached to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which the current administration has prohibited.
A USAID human resources official, who sought to overturn one of the leave actions citing a lack of justification, was also placed on leave, according to two officials who cited internal communications. Reports from independent media outlets first highlighted these developments.
The new leadership at USAID also abruptly terminated the contracts of numerous workers in the agency’s humanitarian bureau, effectively removing them from systems and disrupting ongoing work. These contractors were integral to a range of administrative functions, from support services to data analysis. This staffing overhaul coincided with the State Department’s issuance of guidelines for implementing the humanitarian aid freeze, which began on Friday.
Initially, the guidelines permitted exemptions for military aid sent to Israel and Egypt, as well as emergency food programs, while also suggesting that program administrators could apply for waivers for initiatives meeting certain criteria. Just a few days later, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced broader waiver criteria for various forms of critical assistance, including medical care and essential supplies. He emphasized the need for evaluations to determine which projects enhance U.S. safety and security.
However, the temporary suspension of U.S.-funded programs during the review period has led to a delay in aiding those in need. Rubio claimed that the U.S. was receiving increased compliance from recipients of humanitarian assistance as a result of these measures. Since the freeze went into effect, the State Department reported approving a number of waivers yet noted many of these were returned for lacking detail. Requests for waivers involving significant financial sums have flooded in and are currently under review.
Despite what appears to be a shift towards broader exemptions for urgent care, there remains considerable uncertainty regarding which U.S.-funded programs can legally proceed. Aid organizations are raising alarms about the overwhelming impact of the funding freeze, which has left countless individuals worldwide without access to necessary medicines and humanitarian supplies.
