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Trump Administration Places USAID Officials on Leave Amid Aid Freeze
According to reports by Reuters and Politico, the Trump administration has placed approximately 60 senior USAID officials on administrative leave following a freeze on U.S. aid worldwide. This move aligns with Trump’s “America First” policy and threatens disciplinary action for non-compliance.
An internal memo from the Acting Administrator indicated several employees were placed on administrative leave for actions that appeared to circumvent the President’s Executive Orders. According to the reports, the employees placed on leave include career staff in leadership positions across various USAID bureaus, with roles ranging from energy security to children’s education. The decision has been dubbed the “Monday afternoon massacre.”