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To USAID Or Not To USAID?
A question no one was asking last week: Is USAID a benevolent organization or a boondoggle?
The media cycle is melting down this week over the fact that the Trump Administration appears to be reorganizing the massive government juggernaut, USAID.
The organization’s website now shows the following message: “On Friday, February 7, 2025, at 11:59 pm (EST) all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programs. Essential personnel expected to continue working will be informed by Agency leadership by Thursday, February 6, at 3:00 pm (EST).”
“USAID announces nearly all direct hires will be placed on administrative leave,” reporters for NBC News hyperventilated on February 4, 2025. “USAID’s workforce totals more than 10,000 direct hires and a type of contractor known as personal services contractors, the research service said in a January report. Around two-thirds of staff work overseas.”
“Many Democratic lawmakers have expressed outrage, calling it illegal and saying USAID was established under a law passed by Congress,” reported NBC.
In fact, USAID (the United States Agency for International Development) was established on November 3, 1961…