USAID Website Shuts Down as Donald Trump Freezes Foreign Aid, Sparking Fears Of Layoffs and Backlash
Post President Donald Trump’s freeze on foreign aid programs, the USAID website has gone offline. The President’s move has also led to layoffs and program shutdowns. The U.S. Agency for International Development’s website is offline without any warning.
The Associated Press has reported that the Democratic Party Congressmen have openly crossed swords after the latest move by US President Donald Trump to halt all aid programs to other countries. Congressmen have also expressed fears that the Trump Administration is planning to dissolve USAID’s status as an independent entity and merge it with the State Department.
Donald Trump Freezes Foreign Aid, Shutting Down USAID Website and Raising Concerns Over Layoffs
Congressmen are also questioning Donald Trump’s legal authority to negate a congressionally funded independent agency. They also highlighted the work of USAID and said that it was a crucial component of National Security.
Trump and his Congressional Republicans contend that much of foreign aid and developmental programs are wasteful expenditures with no tangible benefits for the US. They also stated that there are programs which advance liberal social agendas.
USAID is a criminal organization.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 2, 2025
Time for it to die. https://t.co/sWYy6fyt1k
The Administration has already halted billions of dollars of U.S. humanitarian, development, and security assistance, and further and more severe actions are expected in the coming weeks.
The US sets aside 1% of its budget for foreign assistance, and it is a trivial share when compared to other countries. However, even this percentage still makes the US one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid to the world.
The Trump Administration did not answer questions about concerns raised by lawmakers and others on Trump’s intention to end the independent status of USAID.
USAID was created by late US President John F. Kennedy at the peak of the Cold War to balance Soviet influence around the globe. The Congress had passed the Foreign Assistance Act in 1961. The act was made into a law when it was signed by President Kennedy via an executive order which made USAID an independent agency.
USAID is a counterbalance to the growing influence of China, which has started a slew of developmental programs in third-world countries in the form of the “Belt and Road” foreign aid program.
The freeze of foreign aid by the US has also put the future of workers attached to the USAID agency in jeopardy. The staffers had spent Friday and Saturday discussing their future in chat groups. They also stated that the agency’s flag and signs were still up outside the agency’s headquarters in Washington.
Also Read: IRS Launches Free Direct File Service: Track Your Tax Refund with Ease
