An official at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was placed on leave after criticizing the Trump administration’s cuts and obstacles to foreign aid, saying they would lead to preventable deaths and threats to national security. In a memo obtained by NBC News, Nick Enrich, acting assistant administrator for USAID Global Health, accused USAID leadership of creating intentional obstacles preventing the implementation of life-saving humanitarian assistance despite waivers promised by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Enrich claimed that funding for 72 activities involving life-saving assistance had not been approved for release, leading to potential deaths and destabilization. He was subsequently placed on leave.
The Trump administration has initiated cuts of $60 billion in USAID funding and plans to cut the majority of contracts held by the agency, causing significant harm to vulnerable populations globally. These cuts are impacting biosecurity, food supplies for famine-stricken countries, and vaccines for diseases such as polio, smallpox, and Ebola. USAID’s mission is to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen governance, and aid in humanitarian crises.
President Trump and advisor Elon Musk have made cutting USAID a top priority, arguing that the agency wastes taxpayer dollars and promotes a liberal agenda worldwide. The State Department has not responded to Enrich’s claims, and the impact of the cuts on global assistance and security remains a concern.
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