Hi Rebecca. I believe the issue is that Trump/Rubio do not want to properly execute this waiver. Everyone who has congressional representation should contact their members of Congressand the media to raise awareness about this issue with the broader American public.
The Trump administration is taking deliberate steps to undermine USAID and its ability to process these urgent waivers. More than half the staff has been fired or terminated in the past week. They’re also purging the Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) division, making it harder for Members of Congress to get answers about USAID’s work.
This weekend, the USAID site and X account were removed. USAID now has a pared down sub-page under the State Department site, solidifying claims in earlier reporting that this Administration want to dismantle USAID as an independent agency (which many argue would require an act of Congress). But Republican members so far are being very silent about this direct attack on checks and balances and their duties under the constitution.
NYT Gift Link: End Appears Near for U.S. Aid Agency, Democratic Lawmakers say. (2/1/25)“Two incoming Trump administration officials familiar with the matter said the president’s team is exploring subsuming the agency into the State Department. Five others close to the administration said they weren’t aware of specific plans but that USAID’s independence is definitely not guaranteed. All were granted anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak about the issue.”
Hi Rebecca. I believe the issue is that Trump/Rubio do not want to properly execute this waiver. Everyone who has congressional representation should contact their members of Congressand the media to raise awareness about this issue with the broader American public.
The Trump administration is taking deliberate steps to undermine USAID and its ability to process these urgent waivers. More than half the staff has been fired or terminated in the past week. They’re also purging the Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) division, making it harder for Members of Congress to get answers about USAID’s work.
This weekend, the USAID site and X account were removed. USAID now has a pared down sub-page under the State Department site, solidifying claims in earlier reporting that this Administration want to dismantle USAID as an independent agency (which many argue would require an act of Congress). But Republican members so far are being very silent about this direct attack on checks and balances and their duties under the constitution.
NYT Gift Link: End Appears Near for U.S. Aid Agency, Democratic Lawmakers say. (2/1/25) “Two incoming Trump administration officials familiar with the matter said the president’s team is exploring subsuming the agency into the State Department. Five others close to the administration said they weren’t aware of specific plans but that USAID’s independence is definitely not guaranteed. All were granted anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak about the issue.”