Hundreds of U.S. diplomats have formally protested the Trump administration’s decision to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In a cable sent through the State Department’s internal dissent channel, they argue that this move undermines U.S. leadership, jeopardizes national security, and creates opportunities for adversaries like China and Russia to expand their influence.
On January 20, President Donald Trump ordered a 90-day pause on all foreign aid, effectively halting USAID operations worldwide. This action has disrupted the delivery of life-saving food and medical assistance, throwing global humanitarian relief efforts into disarray. The administration’s decision aims to reduce what it considers wasteful spending and abuse of funds within federal agencies.
The diplomats’ cable, signed by over 700 individuals, emphasizes that foreign assistance is a strategic tool to stabilize regions, prevent conflict, and advance U.S. interests—not merely charity. They warn that the abrupt termination of foreign aid contracts without thorough review jeopardizes partnerships with key allies, erodes trust, and allows adversaries to fill the void left by the U.S.
The freeze has also led to significant workforce reductions at USAID, with thousands of staff and contractors either fired or placed on administrative leave. This downsizing has raised concerns about the U.S. government’s reliability as a partner and its commitment to global humanitarian efforts.
The Supreme Court recently declined to permit the administration to withhold payments to foreign aid organizations for work already performed, upholding a district judge’s order to release payments to contractors. This decision underscores the legal challenges facing the administration’s efforts to overhaul foreign aid distribution.
