Trump Administration Suspends 60 USAID Officials Over Alleged Circumvention of Foreign Aid Freeze

Jan 28, 2025, 01:51 AM

President Donald Trump's administration has placed approximately 60 senior officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on administrative leave, accusing them of attempting to circumvent the President's executive orders that freeze all foreign aid pending a 90-day review. Acting Administrator Jason Gray informed staff, stating, 'We have identified several actions within USAID that appear to be designed to circumvent the President's Executive Orders.' The move, which affects over 50 career civil servants, including those in the Global Health bureau, effectively decimates the agency's leadership. The officials were placed on leave Monday after suspicions arose that they were conspiring to continue foreign aid without approval, in violation of the executive orders.