U.S. Agency for International Development Status

The agency’s funding was corrupted, with grants going to radical causes and organizations.

Perhaps the best illustration of how USAID has misused its funding is found in the Middle East.

In 2024, as the region reeled from the aftermath of the bestial atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel the previous year, the United States significantly boosted its financial support for projects in Gaza and the West Bank, spending more than $200 million of American taxpayers’ money in territories already rife with terrorist incitement and activity.

The respected Israeli research organization NGO Monitor pointed out that as the US government “dramatically increased funding” for these various projects, it “drastically decreased transparency.”

These grants were made to what USAID called “miscellaneous foreign awardees.” You wouldn’t know from the opaque accounting process that beneficiaries included local partners who praised the October 7 onslaught.

A “flash appeal” issued by the United Nations for assistance in Gaza attracted $114 million from Washington, feathering the nests of local non-governmental organizations like Al Awda, a “health and community center” with close ties to the Marxist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, designated as a terrorist organization, and the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, whose president described the massacres in Israel as “a glorious day for the Palestinian resistance and people.” 

Foundation for Defense of Democracies

 

"With regards to the USAID stuff, I went over it with [the president] in detail and he agreed that we should shut it down."

"It became apparent that it's not an apple with a worm in it."

"What we have is just a ball of worms. You've got to basically get rid of the whole thing. It's beyond repair." 

"We're shutting it down."

Elon Musk, Department of Government Efficiency

Demonstrators outside the US Agency for International Development (USAID) headquarters in Washington, DC on Monday   Getty Images

 

When President John F. Kennedy established the U.S. Agency for International Development in 1961 its mandate was clear; "international development assistance opportunities", then a shift in focus occurred, to "basic human needs". USAID had been dedicated to extending assistance to countries in  recovery from disasters, countries working internally to escape poverty, countries dedicated to democratic reforms.

 

President Trump, on the other  hand, saw the agency as being run by "radical lunatics" and said as much on Sunday, agreeing with tech maestro Elon Musk that it was a "criminal organization" and he said as much the following day, when he posted just that. 

On Monday, staff of USAID were instructed not to enter the Washington headquarters of USAID. Police blocked the agency's lobby after President Trump took steps to shut the agency down. This follows the laying-off of thousands of USAID employees since Donald Trump took office two weeks ago. As an example of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)'s powers in influencing government administration this is compelling.

 

Latterly USAID focused on "basic human needs" in the form of food availability, population planning, health, education and human resources development, along with sustainable development abroad. Sectors such as gender equality and female empowerment, as well as water availability and sanitation, along with issues relating to economic growth and trade. Billions in funding have been dispensed on an annual basis globally.

 

It is Mr. Musk's contention in his new quasi-governmental role influencing the Trump administration that in promoting liberal causes the organization mismanaged its funds. USAID  workers wee informed by way of a memo last week that they should cooperate with the new administration in Washington in recognition of Mr. Trump's "America First" policy.

 

Once Mr. Trump issued  his executive order re-evaluating and realigning U.S. foreign aid, Marco Rubio as Secretary of State "paused all U.S. foreign assistance funding by or through the State Department and USAID for review". By Wednesday the USAID website was no longer in evidence. Over 600 staffers were reportedly locked out of the agency's computer system. Those still able to access their computers received emails to the effect that "at the direction of Agency leadership" the headquarters building "will be closed to Agency personnel on February 3."

 

Two top security chiefs at USAID were placed on leave of  absence after refusing to turn classified material in restricted areas over to Mr. Musk's inspection teams. DOGE conducted a similar operation at Treasury Department, to gain access to sensitive information, leading to a resignation by a senior Treasury official. At the present time, USAID's future remains unknown. 

USAID-funded Palestinian NGOs: Introducing Children to Convicted Terrorists

June 09, 2021

A number of USAID sub-grantees ran programs that introduced children to convicted terrorists, presented convicted terrorists as role models, and publicly demonstrated support for terrorists and terrorist organizations

NGO Monitor

Norwegian People’s Aid Funding to Terror Affiliated NGOs

April 10, 2018

According to the US Department of Justice, NPA provided “material support” to Iran, Hamas, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) – designated terrorist organizations under US law. As a result of these partnerships, in March 2018, NPA settled a civil-fraud suit, paying a $2 million settlement to the US.

NGO Monitor

 

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 3:00pm (EST).

For USAID personnel currently posted outside the United States, the Agency, in coordination with missions and the Department of State, is currently preparing a plan, in accordance with all applicable requirements and laws, under which the Agency would arrange and pay for return travel to the United States within 30 days and provide for the termination of PSC and ISC contracts that are not determined to be essential. The Agency will consider case-by-case exceptions and return travel extensions based on personal or family hardship, mobility or safety concerns, or other reasons. For example, the Agency will consider exceptions based on the timing of dependents’ school term, personal or familial medical needs, pregnancy, and other reasons. Further guidance on how to request an exception will be forthcoming.

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