Former USAID chief John Brian Atwood said mass layoffs They will destruct an agency that has helped prevent the deaths of tens of millions of people worldwide.
— Many people will not last — he warned, calling Trump's administration "disgusting". Earlier, the USAID announced that as of 7 February, staff of all offices and missions would be on administrative leave, but for those performing the most crucial tasks and staff in specially designated programs. The organization's office in Washington, D.C. had already been closed, and logos and pictures related to USAID operations were removed from the walls of the building. The organization's website and social media accounts were besides removed.
20 January, on the day of his presidential inauguration, Donald Trump signed over 40 decrees. Among them was the freezing of USAID global aid schemes for 90 days. During this time, they are to be audited.
In turn, the Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a directive prohibiting USAID from providing abroad aid until the programmes were revised. He then accused the agency of breaking the ban and "inappropriate cooperation" with the fresh management of the abroad policy agency. Rubio believes that USAID should be substantially changed. “They take taxpayers’ money and spend it as a worldwide charity without wondering whether it is in the national interest. [...] The USAID not only does not cooperate but even undermines our work,” Rubio said.
USAID was founded in 1961. It deals with global aid and improvement aid to another countries. The agency's budget exceeds $50 billion (about PLN 202 billion) per year. Already before Trump took over the presidency, CNN sources among Democrats in legislature expressed concern that he could end USAID's work as an independent agency and decision it to the State Department. At the same time, they noted that the president had no power to liquidate an organization that was funded by Congress.
