The Trump administration has instructed workers at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to align foreign aid operations with the “America First” policy, warning of “disciplinary action” for non-compliance.
In a strongly worded memo sent on Saturday to more than 10,000 USAID staff, the administration provided further guidance on a “stop-work” directive issued the previous day. The directive imposed a sweeping freeze on US foreign aid worldwide.
Ken Jackson, assistant to the administrator for management and resources, emphasised in the memo, titled “Message and Expectation to the Workforce”, that USAID staff must support President Donald Trump’s vision for transforming foreign assistance.
“We have a responsibility to support the President in achieving his vision,” Jackson wrote. “The President has given us a tremendous opportunity to transform the way we approach foreign assistance for decades to come.” The authenticity of the memo was confirmed by multiple sources.
Since returning to office last week, Trump has moved to overhaul federal agencies, reassigning or dismissing hundreds of federal workers. His administration is seeking to reshape a bureaucracy he claims opposed him during his first term.
One of his first actions was to order a 90-day pause on foreign aid to determine whether it aligns with his foreign policy goals. On Friday, the State Department issued a global stop-work order on foreign aid, freezing even pre-approved assistance. This decision affects billions of dollars in critical aid programmes.
The United States, the world’s largest single donor of foreign aid, disbursed $72 billion in 2023. In 2024, it contributed 42% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations.
Humanitarian organisations and global aid communities were caught off guard by the directive. While the memo’s scope is broad, significant uncertainty remains about how it will be implemented.
Saturday’s memo clarified that the freeze would mean “a complete halt” to foreign aid spending, with only limited exceptions. Emergency humanitarian food assistance and support for officials returning to duty stations are exempt, but waivers for food delivery will require “detailed information and justification.”
Further waivers for other aid will need approval from both USAID leadership and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
USAID and the White House National Security Council declined to comment on the matter.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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