The future of USAID remains uncertain amid Trump's funding freeze
Just one week after the Trump administration initiated a near-total freeze of U.S. foreign aid, the future of the U.S.
Just one week after the Trump administration initiated a near-total freeze of U.S. foreign aid, the future of the U.S. Agency for International Development — the agency at the heart of America’s humanitarian assistance operations overseas — remains uncertain.
Trump administration officials are actively discussing placing USAID under the authority of the State Department, according to more than a dozen current and former officials and sources familiar with the discussions, further crippling an agency that has already been brought to its knees.
In the past week, hundreds of USAID employees and contractors have been fired or furloughed, almost 60 senior career leaders at the agency have been sidelined and U.S. foreign missions have been brought to a standstill. Thousands of related jobs are also under threat of furlough or firing in the days ahead.
On Friday, prominent signs in the front lobby of the agency's Washington headquarters appeared to have been removed, leaving those still employed to brace for the possibility of USAID shutting down altogether.
“It is imperative that we maintain an independent development voice and capability within the U.S. government. USAID is, by statute, an independent establishment outside of the State Department,” Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Democratic Reps. Gregory Meeks of New York and Lois Frankel of Florida wrote in a statement late Friday. “Any proposal to modify that structure would require an Act of Congress.”
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