The Trump administration's decision to freeze US foreign assistance has sparked disarray at aid agencies including the US Agency for International Development (USAID). This freeze, enacted by President Trump on January 20, prompted the State Department to issue implementation guidelines on January 24. Consequently, 56 senior career staffers at USAID were placed on administrative leave, and thousands of contractors were laid off from the agency's humanitarian bureau. The agency has been left "agonizing" over what programs can continue to operate.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the freeze, saying: "The US government is not a charity," and pointed out the possibility of obtaining waivers for specific programs. Rubio emphasized a review process to assess whether projects make "America safer, stronger or more prosperous," and in an interview with SiriusXM host Megyn Kelly, highlighted broad exemptions for life-saving assistance.
Acting USAID Administrator Jason Gray noted in an internal memo that certain entities within USAID seemed intent on bypassing the president's directives, leading to staff being put on leave. The staff involved were notably engaged in processing waiver requests and some diversity initiatives, with others helping aid organizations navigate the waiver process.
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Despite initial guidance that exempted only military aid to Israel and Egypt and emergency food programs, Rubio later announced an expanded waiver allowing other essential services such as medicine and shelter. However, the aid freeze's impact remains significant, with more than $1 billion halted for programs said to be non-compliant with Trump's "America First" agenda. Aid organizations warning of severe repercussions, including shortages of vital medicines and humanitarian supplies affecting hundreds of thousands globally, underline the decision. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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