In a bold move, President Donald Trump has suspended dozens of high-ranking officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for allegedly attempting to block his recent executive order freezing foreign aid.
The suspensions, announced on Monday, January 27, have raised significant concerns within the agency and the broader foreign aid community.
According to sources within USAID, 57 employees have been placed on administrative leave, pending further investigation into their actions.
Jason Gray, the newly appointed acting administrator of USAID, addressed the situation in an internal email, which was later obtained by The Washington Post.
In the message, Gray accused several officials of attempting to circumvent the president’s orders and of undermining the will of the American people.
He confirmed that those affected would remain on paid leave with full benefits as the agency conducted further analysis.
This shakeup comes after President Trump signed an executive order on January 24, halting most foreign assistance disbursed through the State Department and USAID for a 90-day period.
The freeze was put in place to allow for a high-level review of foreign aid programs. Exceptions were made for emergency aid, including to Israel and Egypt, as well as in extreme cases requiring food assistance.
As a result of the freeze, thousands of U.S.-funded humanitarian, development, and security programs worldwide have been halted or are preparing to cease operations.
READ ALSO: Rapper Sues Lyft After Driver Refuses Ride, Says She’s Too Big for His Car
This has forced many aid organizations to lay off hundreds of employees due to a lack of funding. Contractors based in Washington, D.C., and other locations have also been affected by the cuts.
In response to the controversy, Gray emphasized that disciplinary action would be taken against any USAID staff who continued to oppose the executive order.
The freeze is part of Trump’s broader “America First” policy, which aims to ensure that U.S. taxpayer money is spent more directly benefiting American interests.
The suspension of top officials, many of whom have served through multiple presidential administrations—including Trump’s—has left many wondering about the future of U.S. foreign aid.
Some experts fear that the freeze could have long-term consequences on international relations and humanitarian work, especially in conflict-ridden regions such as Sudan.