Dozens of US diplomats have expressed vehement opposition to the Trump administration’s plan to disband the US Agency for International Development (USAID), saying the action puts national security at risk and enables geopolitical competitors such as China and Russia to increase their influence.
In a dissent cable to be filed through the State Department’s internal channel, more than 700 diplomats called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reconsider the administration’s broad reductions in foreign aid. They contend that the January 20 freeze on virtually all USAID programs risks American personnel overseas while jeopardizing millions of vulnerable individuals.
“The move to freeze and cancel foreign aid contracts without review undermines alliances, undermines trust, and creates opportunities for opponents,” the cable says, reported Reuters.
The freeze was done as part of President Trump’s overall effort to cut government expenditures, with billionaire advisor Elon Musk spearheading efforts to dismantle USAID. The administration has canceled almost 92% of the agency’s multiyear funding contracts, cutting $54 billion in aid programs.
Diplomats stressed that foreign aid is an essential strategic weapon and not charity, and it stabilizes areas, keeps conflicts from starting, and furthering US interests internationally. They cautioned that unpaid bills to contractors will have disastrous economic impacts, undermine confidence in the US government, and hurt domestic expansion.
Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court declared the administration’s effort to delay payments to assistance organizations for previously performed work a failure, ruling in favor of a lower court order to make the funds available.
