The Trump Administration Urges USAID Workers to Join “America First” Effort
The Trump administration has issued a memo urging USAID workers to join its effort to transform how foreign aid is allocated around the world, in line with the “America First” policy. The memo, sent to over 10,000 staff members on Saturday, orders a freeze on U.S. foreign aid worldwide, with some exceptions for emergency humanitarian food assistance and for government officials returning to duty.
The memo, titled “Message and Expectation to the Workforce,” emphasizes the importance of supporting the President’s vision and notes that the President has given the agency a “tremendous opportunity to transform the way we approach foreign assistance for decades to come.”
The memo also warns that failure to comply with the directive will result in disciplinary action, and it demands that all USAID staff refrain from external communications unless approved by the front office.
The freeze on foreign aid has sent shockwaves through the humanitarian community, with many organizations and countries scrambling to understand the impact on life-saving operations. The United States is the largest single donor of aid globally, providing 42% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations in 2024.
The memo cites the need for a comprehensive review of all foreign assistance programs, with an emphasis on ensuring that they align with the President’s priorities. However, humanitarian organizations and aid workers are concerned about the potential impact on vulnerable populations, including those affected by famine and malnutrition.
“The pause on foreign aid spending means a complete halt, and it’s not just about funding – it’s about the very survival of the most vulnerable in conflict zones,” said Deepmala Mahla, chief humanitarian officer for the relief organization CARE. “Hunger doesn’t just leave people with an empty stomach. It weakens the body’s ability to fight off infections and diseases, making them so much more vulnerable to illness, which can lead to serious health problems or even death.”
