The Trump administration has instructed USAID employees to assist in reforming global aid distribution as part of the "America First" strategy. Consequently, the administration warned that failure to comply would result in "disciplinary action."

Email Sent to USAID Employees

On Saturday, over 10,000 USAID staff received an email outlining the expectations for halting U.S. foreign aid. The email, which was obtained by Reuters, explained how employees should support Trump's agenda. As stated by Ken Jackson, Assistant to the Administrator for Management and Resources, “We have a responsibility to support the President in achieving his vision.” The memo further emphasized, “The President has given us a tremendous opportunity to transform the way we approach foreign assistance for decades to come.”

Trump’s Bureaucracy Reform Efforts

Since his inauguration, Trump has acted decisively to reform the federal bureaucracy. He believes the bureaucracy opposed his previous administration, and as a result, he has reassigned or dismissed hundreds of government employees across various departments.

90-Day Suspension on Foreign Aid

In line with his foreign policy goals, Trump immediately imposed a 90-day suspension on foreign aid. This was intended to ensure that aid distribution aligns with his administration's objectives. Notably, on Friday, the State Department issued a stop-work order for both current and future assistance.

USAID’s Role in Global Aid

The United States remains the largest global donor of foreign aid. In fact, during fiscal year 2023, the U.S. disbursed $72 billion in assistance, which accounted for 42% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations in 2024.

Humanitarian Concerns Over Suspension

Humanitarian organizations have raised alarms about the potential impact of this suspension. However, the full scope of the directive remains unclear at this stage. Fortunately, the Saturday memo provided some clarity, confirming that the aid freeze would be “complete,” with exceptions only for emergency food assistance and the return of government officials.

Exceptions and Waivers

Requests for emergency food aid will require detailed justification. Furthermore, any waivers for other programs will need approval from both USAID leadership and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The memo reiterated, "every program will be thoroughly scrutinized," emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability.

Disciplinary Measures for Non-Compliance

Additionally, the memo strictly prohibited communication between USAID and other agencies, including the State Department, unless authorized. The administration warned, "Failure to abide by this directive will result in disciplinary action."

Impact on Contractors

USAID has also instructed contractors to issue stop-work orders and suspend or amend existing awards. Humanitarian groups are now scrambling to understand how this will affect life-saving operations worldwide.

Aid in Sudan at Risk

In Sudan, where 24.6 million people urgently need food assistance, U.S. aid plays a critical role. The U.S. contributed 45% of the humanitarian aid tracked by the UN in Sudan in 2024. Therefore, any reduction in funding could severely affect the most vulnerable populations.

Hunger's Broader Impact

Even though the policy may allow food assistance to continue, it does not address other essential services. According to Deepmala Mahla from CARE, "Hunger doesn’t just leave people with an empty stomach; it weakens the body’s ability to fight off infections, making people more vulnerable to illness, serious health problems, or even death." Ultimately, humanitarian groups stress that the suspension could have a devastating effect on the survival of vulnerable populations, especially in conflict zones.