Hundreds of diplomats at the State Department and USAID wrote a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They protested the dismantling of USAID. They said its demise would undermine U.S. leadership and security. The diplomats believe it would create a power vacuum, which China and Russia could exploit.
Diplomats are expected to file a cable with the department’s internal “dissent channel.” This channel allows diplomats to raise concerns about policy anonymously. The diplomats stated that the Trump administration’s January 20 freeze on almost all foreign aid endangers American diplomats and forces overseas. It also puts at risk the lives of millions abroad that depend on U.S. assistance.
A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, said that more than 700 people have signed the letter.
The cable stated, “The decision to freeze and terminate foreign aid contracts and assistance awards without any meaningful review jeopardizes our partnerships with key allies, erodes trust, and creates openings for adversaries to expand their influence.” Reuters saw a copy of the cable.
The Republican president, pursuing what he has called an “America First” agenda, ordered a 90-day pause on all foreign aid on his January 20 return to office. The order halted USAID operations around the world. It jeopardized the delivery of life-saving food and medical aid and threw global humanitarian relief efforts into chaos.
The letter said, “The freeze on life-saving aid has already caused irreparable harm and suffering to millions of people around the world.” It added that despite statements on waivers being issued for life-saving programs, the funding remained shut.
The president tasked billionaire and advisor Elon Musk with dismantling USAID. This is part of an unprecedented push to shrink the federal government. They both say it is due to wasteful spending and abuse of funds.
The letter stated, “Foreign assistance is not charity. Instead, it is a strategic tool that stabilizes regions, prevents conflict, and advances U.S. interests.”
Washington confirmed Wednesday it had held direct talks with militant group Hamas to free U.S. hostages held in Gaza.
When asked about the cable, a State Department spokesperson said: “We do not comment on leaked internal communication.”
In fiscal year 2023, the United States disbursed $72 billion of aid worldwide. This aid supported everything from women’s health in conflict zones to access to clean water, HIV/AIDS treatments, energy security, and anti-corruption work.
The administration evaluated 6,200 multi-year awards. They decided to eliminate nearly 5,800 of them, worth $54 billion. According to a State Department spokesperson, this is a 92% reduction. USAID fired or put on administrative leave thousands of staff and contractors.
The cable stated that the government’s failure to pay outstanding invoices to contractors and implementing partners has severe economic repercussions.
The cable said, “The resulting financial strain not only undermines confidence in the U.S. government as a reliable partner, it also weakens domestic economic growth at a time of mounting global competition.”
Organizations and companies that contract with USAID sued the administration last month. They called the dismantling of the agency unlawful. They said funding had been cut off for existing contracts, including hundreds of millions of dollars for work that is already done.
The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Wednesday to let the administration withhold payments to foreign aid organizations for work they already performed for the government. They upheld a district judge’s order. The order had called on the administration to promptly release payments to contractors.
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