Monday 24 February 2025 06:44 GMT

Trump administration suspends USAID employees


(MENAFN) The trump administration has placed around 60 senior officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on administrative leave, allegedly to prevent dissent against major changes to U.S. foreign aid policies. This action follows President Trump’s executive order that suspends most foreign aid for 90 days to conduct a comprehensive spending review.

An internal memo from USAID’s new leadership, obtained by Reuters and AP, indicated that certain agency actions seemed to be aimed at bypassing the president’s directives. As a result, these employees have been put on leave with full pay while an analysis of the situation is carried out, according to acting USAID Administrator Jason Gray.

Critics within the agency argue that this move has created a "massive chilling effect" and could silence those trying to protect important programs from the president's budget cuts. Several U.S. diplomats have reportedly requested exemptions for critical Ukraine-related projects that might be impacted by the aid freeze.

The 90-day suspension of foreign aid has already caused global program halts and staff layoffs. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has only exempted emergency food aid and military assistance to Israel and Egypt. While the U.S. is the world’s largest donor, contributing approximately $72 billion in aid in 2023, the freeze is expected to lead to expenditure cuts and program delays, particularly in operations monitored by the United Nations. Despite reassurances, UN officials have indicated that significant cuts will be unavoidable.

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