Trump threatens 'disciplinary action' for USAid staff ignoring foreign aid freeze

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/26/trump-threatens-disciplinary-action-usaid-staff

Friday’s memo shocked the humanitarian groups and communities conducting development aid across the globe. While the scope of the directive appears far-reaching, uncertainties linger over how it will be carried out.

Waivers allowing delivery of emergency food during the review period will require “detailed information and justification”.
The memo said further waivers would require two layers of approval – one from USAid leadership and another by US secretary of state Marco Rubio.
“Any waiver must be thoroughly justified to demonstrate that the specific assistance for which the waiver is sought is necessary for lifesaving purposes, cannot be performed by current US direct hire staff, or would otherwise pose significant risks to national security,” the memo said.

Humanitarian organizations and other donors are scrambling to understand how the directive will impact life-saving operations in countries across the globe. It is too soon to tell whether or what specific services will have to be paused, they said.
In 2024, the US provided 42% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations.