USAID Under Siege: The Trump Administration’s Dismantling of the Foreign Aid Agency
The Trump Administration’s Campaign Against USAID
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is not a significant part of the federal government, with a budget of only $43.8 billion in the last fiscal year, representing 0.7% of the total federal budget. Despite its relatively small size, USAID plays a crucial role in providing humanitarian aid and development assistance to countries around the world. However, under the Trump administration, USAID has become a target for dismantling, with the president’s executive orders and bureaucratic moves aiming to cripple the agency’s operations.
The 90-Day Freeze and Mass Administrative Leaves
On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order placing a 90-day freeze on all foreign aid spending, followed by a similar order affecting most of the federal budget. Secretary of State Marco Rubio implemented the order by issuing stop-work orders for almost all foreign aid programs, including life-saving programs like PEPFAR, which provides AIDS drugs and preventative services to tens of millions of people. More than a week after the order, Rubio signed a partial waiver for humanitarian aid, including some AIDS drugs.
Despite the questionable legality of the order, USAID staff largely complied. However, the Trump administration initiated a crackdown, placing about 60 senior leaders in the agency on administrative leave, citing "several actions within USAID that appear to be designed to circumvent the president’s executive orders and the mandate from the American people." The agency’s spokesperson refused to comment on personnel matters.
Consequences of the Crackdown
The consequences of the crackdown are far-reaching and devastating. According to Jeremy Konyndyk, a former veteran USAID official and current president of Refugees International, the move will lead to the destruction of US foreign assistance as we know it. The disruption of USAID’s operations could literally cost people their lives. For example, the agency’s primary implementer for the President’s Malaria Initiative, which funded 36.8 million bednets and 48 million doses of malaria-preventing medication in 2023 alone, has been badly disrupted and lost crucial implementing staff.
Disrupting the Agency’s Operations
The Trump administration has also hit USAID’s contractor workforce, and its Office of Personnel Management has made USAID civil service staff vulnerable to reclassification and removal under so-called Schedule F moves. Disrupting USAID’s operations could lead to a catastrophic loss of talent and expertise, making it impossible for the agency to effectively deliver aid and development assistance.
The Strategy for Disrupting Government Agencies
The Trump administration’s campaign against USAID is not an isolated incident. The administration is using USAID as a testing ground for a strategy to disrupt the functioning of government agencies in general. The executive order signed by President Trump on his first day back in office stated that the pause would be enforced by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) through what’s called "apportionment." This is a usually quarterly process in which OMB allocates funds from yearly Congressional appropriations to specific agencies. However, the Trump administration is trying to use it to block the funding of specific programs and agencies.
Conclusion
The Trump administration’s campaign against USAID is a disturbing development that has far-reaching implications for the functioning of government agencies and the delivery of humanitarian aid and development assistance. The disruption of USAID’s operations could lead to devastating consequences, including the loss of lives and the destruction of programs that are crucial to global development. It is essential that Congress and the public hold the Trump administration accountable for its actions and work to restore the agency’s operations to normal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is USAID?
A: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is a government agency responsible for providing humanitarian aid and development assistance to countries around the world.
Q: Why is USAID important?
A: USAID plays a crucial role in providing life-saving assistance and development assistance to countries in need. Its programs help to address global challenges such as poverty, hunger, and disease.
Q: What is the Trump administration’s stance on USAID?
A: The Trump administration has launched a campaign to dismantle USAID, including a 90-day freeze on foreign aid spending and the placement of senior leaders on administrative leave.
Q: What are the consequences of the Trump administration’s actions?
A: The consequences of the Trump administration’s actions are far-reaching and devastating. They could lead to the loss of lives, the destruction of programs, and the crippling of the agency’s operations.