Two former USAID officials, one current agency official, and one source directly familiar with the decision told NBC News that more than fifty civil career servants and foreign service officers at the U.S. Agency for International Development were placed on administrative leave Monday afternoon, effective immediately.
According to two former USAID officials and one current official, the operation targeted senior attorneys in particular, as well as senior leadership in bureaus around the agency.
Late Monday afternoon, USAID staff were notified of the decision.
According to the email that NBC News was able to receive from USAID Acting Administrator Jason Gray, “We have identified several actions within USAID that appear to be designed to circumvent the President’s Executive Orders and the mandate from the American people.” In order to finish our examination of these acts, we have consequently placed certain USAID workers on administrative leave with full pay and benefits until further notice.
A request for comment on Monday night was not immediately answered by USAID.
USAID coordinates humanitarian development and overseas aid. Despite being a separate government agency, USAID works with the secretary of state and gets policy direction from her.
The agency’s duties include delivering humanitarian aid in the wake of natural catastrophes and conflicts, as well as advancing environmental sustainability, global health, and education.
Following the Trump administration’s decision to freeze nearly all U.S. foreign aid last week in accordance with an executive order issued by President Donald Trump pending a 90-day review, the decision to place dozens of senior staff members on leave follows.
The order halted new foreign aid commitments and payments until programs effectiveness and alignment with U.S. foreign policy were reviewed.
The wave of leaders who were put on administrative leave at USAID comes after a number of other actions taken by Trump to reorganize government agencies.
In a late-night, legally dubious move last week, Trump fired 18 federal inspectors general, sent dozens of national security officials home from their White House positions, revoked 50 security clearances for former intelligence officials, and authorized the termination of federal employees in diversity, equity, and inclusion positions. He also stated that he was considering closing the Federal Emergency Management Agency.