Trump Administration Places Dozens of USAID Officials on Paid Leave Amid Foreign Funding Freeze

The Trump Administration has placed dozens of senior career officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on paid leave. This decision is part of a broader move to implement a strict foreign funding freeze, which has caused significant panic among international aid groups. The administration's actions are seen as an attempt to ensure compliance with new directives and to prevent resistance to these changes.

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The executive order issued by President Trump includes a 90-day pause on U.S. foreign aid, which has raised concerns about the impact on various global initiatives and health programs. The administration's focus appears to be on prioritizing national interests over international aid, which has led to the temporary suspension of new funding for various projects.

Additionally, the decision to place senior officials on leave is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and ensure that the agency's leadership is aligned with the new administration's policies. This move has been compared to "taking out all the generals," indicating a significant reshuffling of leadership within USAID.

Overall, the administration's actions reflect a shift towards a more nationalistic approach to foreign aid, which has significant implications for international development and humanitarian efforts worldwide.