The Trump administration has taken a significant step by placing approximately 60 senior career officials at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) on immediate leave. This move, which was initiated on Monday, has raised eyebrows and sparked concerns among many.
According to sources, there was a particular focus on USAID's general counsel's office during this action. Acting Administrator Jason Gray linked this decision to President Donald Trump's recent executive order that suspended almost all foreign assistance. Gray mentioned in an internal statement that certain actions within USAID seemed to be aimed at circumventing the President's Executive Orders and the will of the American people.
Gray assured the affected staffers that they would be placed on leave with full benefits while a thorough analysis of the situation is conducted. This development comes in the wake of Secretary of State Marco Rubio's directive to halt all foreign aid, with a few exceptions, pending further review.
It is evident that these actions have sent shockwaves through the USAID workforce and the diplomatic community at large. The implications of these decisions remain to be seen, and there is a sense of uncertainty surrounding the future of foreign assistance programs.
Source has reached out to USAID for comment on this matter. Politico was the first to report on the officials being placed on leave, shedding light on a situation that continues to unfold.