U.S. President Donald Trump has suspended dozens of government officials for attempting to block his executive order to freeze all foreign aid.
On Monday, January 27, dozens of employees at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were placed on administrative leave. According to the Wall Street Journal, 57 staff members were affected.
Jason Gray, the newly appointed acting administrator of USAID, stated in an internal email obtained by The Washington Post: “We have identified several actions within USAID that appear to be designed to circumvent the President’s Executive Orders and the mandate from the American people. As a result, we have placed a number of USAID employees on administrative leave with full pay and benefits until further notice.”
Trump’s executive order, issued on January 24, mandated a 90-day freeze on most U.S. foreign assistance through the State Department and USAID. The exceptions included aid to Israel, Egypt, and cases of emergency food assistance. The freeze aimed to ensure that all foreign aid programs align with Trump’s “America First” policy. Staff who ignored the order faced potential disciplinary action.
The freeze has already impacted thousands of U.S.-funded humanitarian, development, and security programs worldwide. Many aid organisations have ceased operations or prepared to do so, resulting in the layoff of hundreds of employees due to lack of funding.
The suspended USAID employees were seasoned officials with experience across multiple administrations, including Trump’s. Before their suspension, they had been working to assist aid organisations in coping with the funding freeze and requesting waivers for critical life-saving activities, such as providing clean water to displaced people in Sudan and monitoring bird flu globally.
Several hundred contractors based in Washington and elsewhere were also reportedly laid off as part of the freeze.
