The Trump administration is putting the pressure on USAid employees to fall in line with the president’s vision for transforming US foreign assistance. A sternly-worded internal memo sent Saturday warned the agency’s 10,000+ workers of potential “disciplinary action” for ignoring directives aimed at furthering Trump’s America First policy.
The message comes on the heels of a sweeping foreign aid freeze instituted by the administration just days after Trump retook office on January 20th. The stop-work order, issued Friday by the State Department, effectively halts billions in humanitarian aid worldwide as programs undergo a thorough review to ensure alignment with the president’s priorities.
Massive Aid Apparatus Faces Overhaul
As the world’s top donor, the US disbursed a staggering $72 billion in foreign assistance in fiscal year 2023 alone. Trump has long sought to remake the sprawling bureaucracy, which he believes worked against him during his first term from 2017-2021.
The Saturday memo, titled “Message and Expectation to the Workforce”, stressed that aid workers have a “responsibility” to help achieve the administration’s goals. “The president has given us a tremendous opportunity to transform the way we approach foreign assistance for decades to come,” wrote USAid assistant Ken Jackson.
Waivers for Lifesaving Aid
While the funding pause means a “complete halt” with few exceptions, the memo indicated that some crucial aid could continue via a waiver process:
“Any waiver must be thoroughly justified to demonstrate that the specific assistance for which the waiver is sought is necessary for lifesaving purposes, cannot be performed by current US direct hire staff, or would otherwise pose significant risks to national security.”
– USAid memo excerpt
Emergency food aid can also proceed during the review period, but will require “detailed information and justification.” All waivers must clear two layers of approval from USAid leadership and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Looming Uncertainty for Aid Groups
Humanitarian organizations are now scrambling to assess the impact on their operations across the globe. The US provided 42% of all UN-tracked aid in 2024, making it a critical lifeline for countless communities in need. Many fear that even temporary disruptions could cost lives.
As agencies race to obtain waiver approvals and gain clarity on the road ahead, the only certainty is that it’s no longer business as usual. Every foreign aid program will face intense scrutiny in the coming weeks and months. And with the threat of disciplinary action looming, USAid workers have little choice but to get on board with the administration’s America First revolution.
