An official at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was placed on administrative leave after warning that the Trump administration’s layoffs, cuts, and funding obstacles will lead to preventable deaths and threats to U.S. security. In a memo to staff, Nick Enrich, acting assistant administrator for USAID Global Health, expressed concern about the lack of implementation of lifesaving humanitarian assistance due to obstacles created by political leadership in USAID, the State Department, and DOGE. Enrich criticized the contradictory guidance and delays in funding disbursement, leading to the termination of many awards for humanitarian activities. USAID workers have reported that the cancellation of $60 billion in funding and cuts to contracts are already impacting global programs related to biosecurity, food supplies, and vaccines.
The Trump administration, led by Elon Musk in the Department of Government Efficiency, has made cuts to USAID a top priority, arguing that the agency wastes taxpayer dollars and promotes a liberal agenda globally. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio has vowed to establish waivers for vital USAID programs exempt from cuts, Enrich highlighted the immediate harm being done without intervention. The State Department did not comment on Enrich’s claims. Enrich, in a farewell email to colleagues, expressed pride in working with USAID experts to improve global health despite facing challenges. Overall, the Trump administration’s cuts to USAID are causing significant harm to vulnerable populations worldwide and undermining the agency’s mission to save lives, reduce poverty, and strengthen democratic governance beyond humanitarian crises.
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