A recent memo sent to over 10,000 staff members at the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) has caused a stir across the agency. On Saturday, the memo outlined new expectations for the workforce to align with former President Donald Trump's goals, as confirmed by Reuters and multiple reliable sources. This directive follows a stop-work order issued worldwide by the US state department on Friday, raising questions about the future of billions of dollars in life-saving aid.
The memo strictly prohibits any communications outside the agency without approval from the USAid front office, including interactions with the state department. It further mandates two layers of approval for waivers, one from USAid leadership and another from the US Secretary of State. Although incorrect information was circulated regarding Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the position is held by Antony Blinken.
This sudden halt in foreign assistance comes after President Trump initiated a 90-day pause in 2023 to reassess whether aid distributions were aligned with his "America First" policy. The US, recognized as the largest single donor of global aid, disbursed $72 billion in assistance during fiscal year 2023, accounting for 42% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations in 2024.
"It is no longer business as usual. Every program will be thoroughly scrutinized."
The USAid memo urges employees to join efforts in reshaping how the federal government allocates aid globally, emphasizing that this transformation aligns with Trump's vision for foreign policy priorities. The document offered partial clarity on the stop-work order and instructed contractors to issue stop-work orders and amend or suspend existing awards.
“Any waiver must be thoroughly justified to demonstrate that the specific assistance for which the waiver is sought is necessary for lifesaving purposes, cannot be performed by current US direct hire staff, or would otherwise pose significant risks to national security,”
This sudden freeze in aid has sparked concerns among numerous stakeholders, especially as it places billions of dollars of life-saving assistance under scrutiny. The global community has been watching closely, given that USAid plays a pivotal role in international humanitarian efforts.
“Failure to abide by this directive, or any of the directives sent out earlier this week and in the coming weeks, will result in disciplinary action,”
As USAid navigates these new directives, the agency is faced with balancing compliance with federal mandates and addressing urgent global needs. The memo emphasizes that staff have an obligation to support the President's vision, indicating a significant shift in operational procedures.
“We have a responsibility to support the President in achieving his vision,”