USAID workers put on leave as Trump officials investigate resistance to aid pause
Dozens of senior officials in the U.S. agency that administers foreign aid have been placed on leave amid an investigation into alleged resistance to President Donald Trump’s orders. According to reports, at least 56 U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) officials were placed on administrative leave with full pay and benefits, while several hundred contractors based in Washington and elsewhere were laid off.
These actions were taken after Secretary of State Marco Rubio, acting on Trump’s executive order, paused all U.S. foreign assistance funded by or through the State Department and USAID. The 90-day pause has halted thousands of U.S.-funded humanitarian, development, and security programs worldwide, leading to aid organizations laying off hundreds of employees due to the inability to make payroll.
An internal USAID notice sent late Monday revealed that new acting administrator Jason Gray had identified actions within USAID that appeared to be designed to circumvent the President’s Executive Orders and the mandate from the American people. As a result, several USAID employees were placed on administrative leave with full pay and benefits until further notice while an analysis of these actions is completed.
The notice did not specify which of the executive orders the USAID officials were accused of violating. The White House and USAID have yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter.
The officials placed on leave were career officials who had served in multiple administrations, including Trump’s. Before their removal, they were working to assist U.S.-funded aid organizations in adjusting to the new funding freeze and seeking waivers to continue essential activities such as providing clean water to war-displaced individuals in Sudan and monitoring bird flu globally.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has exempted emergency food programs and military aid to Israel and Egypt from the freeze on foreign assistance. Trump has been critical of foreign aid and has called for a review of U.S. aid programs to prioritize American interests and eliminate ineffective programs.
The U.S. is the largest donor of aid globally, dispersing $72 billion in assistance during fiscal year 2023. Additionally, the U.S. provided 42% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations in 2024.
In conclusion, the actions taken by the Trump administration to review and pause foreign aid programs have resulted in significant consequences for USAID officials and aid organizations worldwide. The future of U.S. foreign assistance remains uncertain as the administration continues to prioritize American interests in aid distribution.
