USAID Leadership Shakeup: Senior Employees Placed on Leave Amid Foreign Aid Freeze

In a significant turn of events, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has temporarily reversed an order that had sidelined almost 60 senior career leaders, only to see the same official who made the decision placed on administrative leave later that day. This development has raised concerns about the stability and integrity of the agency amidst a sweeping freeze on U.S. foreign aid announced by the State Department in line with President Donald Trump’s executive order.

Temporary Reversal and Administrative Leave

According to two current and two former USAID employees who spoke to NBC News, the order sidelining the senior career leaders was temporarily rescinded by a senior career civil servant with the authority to do so. This action provided a glimmer of hope for the affected employees, who had been placed on paid leave.

However, the same official who made the temporary reversal decision was subsequently placed on administrative leave, raising questions about the motivations behind the initial decision and the subsequent administrative leave. The situation has left many in the agency bewildered and concerned about the future of its leadership and direction.

Emotional Impact on Senior Employees

In an email to the affected senior USAID employees, Nick Gottlieb, the agency's director of employee and labor relations, expressed empathy for their situation. He stated, “The materials show no evidence that you engaged in misconduct… I wish you all the best — you do not deserve this.” These statements highlight the emotional toll that the uncertainty and upheaval have taken on the senior employees.

Furthermore, the turmoil at USAID has had a cascading effect, with hundreds of contractors being fired and more furloughs expected in the coming days. The disarray and uncertainty within the agency have not only impacted the senior leadership but also reverberated throughout the entire organization, leaving many employees in limbo and with diminished morale.

Concerns about U.S. Foreign Aid Policy

Amidst the turmoil at USAID, concerns have also been raised about the impact of the freeze on U.S. foreign aid on both the staff of the development world and the functioning of U.S. foreign aid policy. Jeremy Konyndyk, a former USAID official and current president of the aid group Refugees International, emphasized the intricate relationship between the U.S. government and its nonprofit and contractor partners in implementing U.S. foreign aid policy. He warned that prolonged cuts to U.S. funding of aid groups and the staff of the development world could irreparably damage the architecture of U.S. foreign aid that has been developed over the past 50 years.