At least 56 senior officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were placed on leave on Monday as part of an investigation into an alleged effort to undermine President Donald Trump's orders. Additionally, several hundred contractors were laid off, following Trump's executive order last week that imposed a 90-day pause on most U.S. foreign assistance distributed through the State Department.
The freeze on foreign assistance has led to the halting of thousands of U.S.-funded humanitarian, development, and security programs worldwide, with aid organizations being forced to lay off hundreds of employees due to lack of funds.
