Grievance 25 Cutting USAID Funding
Grievance 25 Cutting USAID
Reports from late 2025 and early
2026 indicate that independent models estimate approximately 600,000 to 762,000
people died due to the sudden dismantling of USAID programs and foreign aid
cuts initiated by the Trump administration in early 2025. [1,
2]
Legal Issue
Parts of the dismantling were within
presidential authority, but other parts, especially freezing appropriated funds
and effectively nullifying a congressionally created agency, raised serious
legal concerns and may have violated federal law. (see below)
Moral Issue
With
reports estimating that approximately 600,000 to 762,000 people died following
the sudden dismantling of USAID programs and foreign aid cuts initiated by the
Trump administration in early 2025 there is a community moral issue.
Individuals
have a moral responsibility to help others to the extent that they are able.
This responsibility flows from the belief that all people possess equal
dignity. Equal dignity is not based on lifestyle, nationality, education,
religion, or any other characteristic. It is grounded solely in the fact of
being human.
Because
dignity is inherent and equal, no person is worth more or less than another. An
individual’s obligations to family and local community must be balanced with
their responsibilities to people beyond their borders. Failing to recognize
this balance risks treating distant communities as disposable, which
contradicts the very idea of moral responsibility.
This
is at the very heart of reciprocity. It
is the moral expectation that people respond to the actions of others with
comparable goodwill, support, or respect. It creates a balanced exchange: when
someone offers help, cooperation, or kindness, others feel obligated to return
it in ways that sustain trust and social cohesion. Across cultures, reciprocity
functions as a stabilizing norm that encourages fairness, mutual
responsibility, and ethical interdependence. It strengthens communities by
ensuring that benefits and burdens are shared, relationships remain balanced,
and cooperation becomes a reliable foundation for collective life.
What
is true for individuals is also true for communities. Members of any community,
including nations, have equal dignity. Therefore, nations have a moral
obligation to assist others around the world, within the limits of what they
can reasonably provide, consistent with the equal dignity principle.
USAID
was one way of putting this principle into practice. By supporting people and
organizations working to save and improve lives, it helped the United States
fulfill part of its moral obligation to others.
USAID
also served another crucial function: it provided a constructive reason for the
United States to be engaged in communities around the world. This presence
offered a stabilizing influence and a counterweight to anti‑social or
destabilizing groups.
Therefore,
from the standpoint of the moral obligation to help others, the closure of
USAID, and the resulting loss of an estimated 600,000 lives, can be viewed as a
profoundly harmful action toward communities around the world.
Notes
The shutting down of USAID
Summary
Beginning in early 2025, the Trump
administration—through the newly created Department of Government Efficiency
(DOGE)—initiated a sweeping freeze and rollback of USAID funding. This
ultimately led to the cancellation of more than 80% of USAID contracts, mass
layoffs, and the effective dismantling of the agency’s independent operations.
Cato
Institute The
Santa Barbara Independent
1. How the Funding Cutoff Began
January 2025: Funding Freeze
- The administration imposed a
foreign aid funding freeze, halting large portions of USAID’s active
programs.
The Santa Barbara Independent
DOGE’s Role
- DOGE released a report alleging
“waste and abuse” in USAID programs, citing examples such as:
- $70,000 for
a DEI-themed musical in Ireland (see
endnotes 1)
- $2.5 million for electric vehicles in
Vietnam (see
endnotes 2)
- $6
million for tourism development in Egypt (see endnotes 3)
Cato Institute - Elon Musk, overseeing DOGE,
publicly criticized USAID as interfering in foreign governments and
promoting “radical left politics,” saying it was “time for it to die.”
Cato Institute
2. The Scale of the Cuts
Mass Contract Cancellations
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
announced the cancellation of 83% of USAID’s contracts—about 5,200
contracts.
- Only about 1,000 contracts were
retained and transferred to the State Department.
Cato Institute
Employee Impact
- Roughly 5,800 USAID employees
were laid off or placed on leave.
Cato Institute
Absorption into the State Department
- By July 1, 2025, USAID was
effectively absorbed into the State Department, ending its status as an
independent agency.
Cato Institute
3. Congressional Action: The
Rescissions Act of 2025
Congress passed the Rescissions Act
of 2025, which:
- Retracted $8 billion in USAID
and foreign aid funding
- Eliminated:
- $2.5 billion of the $3.9
billion FY2025 Development Assistance budget
- $460 million from the
Assistance for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia account
Cato Institute
This was done under the Impoundment
Control Act of 1974, which allows Congress—not the president—to reclaim unspent
funds.
4. Real-World Consequences
Humanitarian Impact
Aid organizations reported immediate
and severe effects:
- Refugee camps in Uganda saw
World Food Program rations drop from covering 60% of needs to only 22%.
- NGOs relying on USAID funding
laid off staff and shut down programs.
The Santa Barbara Independent
Global Development Impact
- Programs in health,
agriculture, education, and democracy support were halted or drastically
reduced.
- Smaller NGOs were forced to
fill gaps they could not sustain.
5. The Larger Goal
The administration’s stated
rationale:
- USAID was allegedly aligned
with “global NGOs” rather than U.S. taxpayers.
- Programs were accused of
promoting “anti-American ideals” or aligning with geopolitical
adversaries.
Cato Institute
The practical effect:
- USAID’s independent mission was
dismantled, and its functions centralized under the State Department.
The Impact of Shutting Down USAID
Here are the key details regarding
these reports:
- Impact
Estimate: As of November 2025, a tracker maintained by Boston University
epidemiologist Brooke Nichols estimated that the shutdown of USAID caused
600,000 deaths, with roughly two-thirds (400,000) being children.
- Cause
of Deaths: The deaths are attributed to the disruption of life-saving
services, including HIV treatment, tuberculosis (TB) care, malnutrition
support, and vaccine-preventable illnesses, following an 83% cancellation
of USAID contracts.
- Projections:
A study published in The
Lancet estimated that these cuts could lead to over fourteen
million additional deaths by 2030, including 4.5 million children under
five.
- Disputed
Figures: Secretary of State Marco Rubio has disputed these findings,
stating in congressional testimony that "no one has died" because
of the USAID dismantling.
- Other
Potential Causes: Separate reports mentioned that UK foreign aid budget
reductions (a 40% cut) could also lead to over 600,000 deaths, according
to an analysis from the One Campaign. [1,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7,
8,
9]
The
600,000-death figure is based on modeling, as the rapid withdrawal of aid also
disrupted the ability to collect data on deaths, making precise verification
difficult. [3,
10]
Was
Shutting Down USAID Legal
1.
Could a president legally dismantle USAID by executive action alone?
No
— not fully.
USAID
was created by Congress through the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Under U.S. constitutional law:
- The
president cannot abolish or dissolve an agency created by statute without
congressional approval.
- Only
Congress can repeal or rewrite the statute that establishes the agency.
So:
Eliminating USAID outright by executive order alone would exceed presidential
authority.
However,
a president can:
- reorganize
agencies internally
- shift
functions
- freeze
hiring
- pause
grants
- direct
foreign policy priorities
- move
programs under the State Department
These
actions are legally allowed if the agency itself still exists on paper.
2.
Was freezing or canceling foreign aid programs legal?
Partially
legal, partially contested.
A
president has broad authority over foreign policy and can direct agencies to:
- pause
grants
- review
programs
- change
priorities
But
there are limits:
The
Impoundment Control Act (ICA)
The
ICA prohibits the executive branch from withholding or delaying congressionally
appropriate funds unless:
- Congress
approves the rescission, or
- the
delay is for a legitimate programmatic reason.
If
funds were frozen for policy reasons, not administrative ones, that could
violate the ICA.
This
was the same law implicated in the 2019 Ukraine aid freeze controversy.
3.
Was mass cancellation of contracts legal?
This
is a gray area.
Federal
contracts can be canceled, but:
- They
must follow federal procurement law
- They
require proper justification
- They
may require compensation from contractors
- They
cannot be canceled for reasons that violate statute
If
the cancellations were done:
- without
proper process
- without
legal justification
- or in a
way that circumvented congressional intent
…then
they could be challenged as unlawful.
Some
NGOs and contractors explicitly stated they were considering legal action, but
litigation outcomes are not yet publicly resolved.
4.
Was transferring USAID functions into the State Department legal?
Yes,
with limits.
The
president can reorganize executive agencies within the boundaries of existing
law.
Moving functions from USAID to State is allowed as long as:
- USAID
still exists as a statutory entity
- Congress
has not prohibited the transfer
- Appropriated
funds are used for their intended purpose
If
funds appropriated specifically for USAID were redirected in ways
Congress did not authorize, that could violate appropriations law.
5.
Was the overall dismantling “illegal”?
Here
is the most accurate, non-political summary:
Likely
legal:
- Reorganization
under the State Department
- Shifting
priorities
- Halting
new grants
- Downsizing
staff
- Public
criticism of USAID
- Using
DOGE to conduct reviews (if within statutory authority)
Legally
questionable or contested:
- Withholding
or freezing congressionally appropriated funds
- Canceling
thousands of contracts without proper process
- Using
executive authority to effectively nullify a congressionally created
agency
- Any
action taken for policy reasons that violated the Impoundment Control Act
Clearly
beyond presidential authority:
- Abolishing
USAID entirely without an act of Congress
The
clearest one-sentence answer
Parts
of the dismantling were within presidential authority, but other parts —
especially freezing appropriated funds and effectively nullifying a
congressionally created agency — raised serious legal concerns and may have
violated federal law.
The
Shutting Down of USAID Sources
A
Good Start: Congress Cuts Funding for USAID and Other Foreign Aid ...
https://www.cato.org/blog/good-start-congress-cuts-funding-usaid-other-foreign-aid-programs
The Domino
Effect of DOGE Dismantling USAID
https://www.independent.com/2025/03/28/the-domino-effect-of-doge-dismantling-usaid/
Department
of Government Efficiency (DOGE) shuts down USAID and State ...
https://www.epi.org/policywatch/doge-shuts-down-usaid/
Grants
and contracts cut by Elon Musk and DOGE one year later
Cuts
to USAID severed longstanding American support for Indigenous ...
Sec
Rubio says USAID cut 83% of its programs following DOGE review ...
How
spending $153 million to pay its bills put USAID in DOGE’s ...
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/08/usaid-trump-musk-doge-00203191
Halo Reach
exploring the prologue area on Noble Actual - MSN
as a part of
DOGE cuts to USAID were made. Is it plaus...
https://factually.co/fact-checks/politics/doge-usaid-cuts-deaths-plausibility-949e50
Majority
of DOGE’s Savings Come from the Elimination of USAID
The
Impact of Shutting Down USAID Sources
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/marco-rubio-stands-cuts-killed-200714554.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x4ZHWjDcf4
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aJVciCI6VxU
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HS6sTKC3SyM
https://one-handed-economist.com/?p=6498
Was Shutting Down USAID Legal Sources
Policy
Brief: Impoundment and Rescission - pepfarwatch.org
https://pepfarwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Policy-Brief_-Impoundment-and-Rescission.pdf
IN THE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
https://usaidalumni.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Dismantling_of_USAID.pdf
U.S.
Foreign Aid Freeze & Dissolution of USAID: Timeline of Events - KFF
Understanding
the Supreme Court's Decision on USAID Funding
Trump
administration asks SCOTUS once again for ability to freeze ...
Supreme
Court clears way for Trump to withhold $4B in foreign aid ...
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/26/supreme-court-foreign-aid-impoundment-ruling-00583052
Lawsuits
Over Legality of Trump's Foreign Aid Shutdown Hampered by ...
https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/23/trump-foreign-aid-usaid-lawsuits-legal/
Here's
Your Guide To Lawsuits Against Trump's Funding Freezes
US Supreme
Court lets Trump freeze $4 billion in foreign aid
https://www.jurist.org/news/2025/09/us-supreme-court-lets-trump-freeze-4-billion-in-foreign-aid/
Endnotes
1 $70,000
for a DEI-themed musical in Ireland (return)
Based on 2025 reports and
fact-checking of White House claims, the U.S. government did provide funding
for a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) themed musical event in Ireland,
but there are key details regarding the funding source and nature of the project.
Key Facts Regarding the Claim:
- Funding Source: While the
claim was widely spread as USAID spending, reports indicate the U.S.
Department of State, not USAID, granted the funds.
- The Amount: The grant was
for $70,884 (often rounded to $70,000).
- The Project: The grant was
awarded in September 2022 to an Irish organization called Ceiliuradh
(associated with the production company "South Wind Blows" and
the series "Other Voices") for a live musical event
titled “Other Voices: Dignity – Towards a More Equitable Future”.
- The Event: The event took
place at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Dublin and featured musical
performances and discussions to "promote the U.S. and Irish shared
values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility".
The New York Times +3
Contextual Findings:
- The event was criticized by the
Trump administration and conservative lawmakers in February 2025 as an
example of "wasteful spending" on "far-left
ideologies".
- The event was part of a larger,
full-day program for diversity, equity, and inclusion, with Rethink
Ireland (a state-supported organization) acting as a co-lead on the
project.
- The concert featured Irish and
American musicians, including Grammy-winning folk duo Rhiannon Giddens and
Francesco Turrisi.
While the White House and some
lawmakers attributed the grant to USAID, evidence points to it being a State
Department public diplomacy grant.
The New York Times +1
2 $2.5
million for electric vehicles in Vietnam (return)
A February 2025 report from The
White House highlighted a $2.5 million expenditure for electric vehicles in
Vietnam as an example of "waste and abuse" within USAID programs. This funding was singled out
alongside other projects to criticize overseas spending, according to BBC
News.
The White House (.gov) +1
- Context: The $2.5 million
for Vietnam electric vehicles was listed by the White House on February 3,
2025, as a target for cutting foreign aid waste.
- Criticism: The funding was
criticized by the Trump administration, which has signaled a shift in
foreign assistance priorities and a review of USAID activities, as
reported by the BBC and Wikipedia.
- Broader Picture: This was
part of a broader review of foreign aid, which also included questioning
projects in Egypt, Colombia, and Serbia, according to The White House
(.gov) and BBC.
The White House (.gov) +2
3 $6
million for tourism development in Egypt (return)
Based on recent reports and
fact-checking regarding USAID expenditures, a "$6 million" figure
linked to tourism in Egypt has been subject to conflicting interpretations:
- Context of the "$6
Million" Claim: While some reports from the new U.S.
administration (as of early 2025) listed "$6 million for tourism in
Egypt" among "questionable projects", other reports
clarified that this funding was part of a 2019 bilateral assistance
agreement amendment aimed at economic development, education, and
livelihood support in North Sinai.
- Actual Tourism/Cultural
Heritage Activities: USAID has supported cultural tourism in Egypt,
including a $6 million restoration project of landmark sites
that concluded in 2023. Additionally, the four-year "Integrated
Management of Cultural Tourism" (IMCT) project was active until
August 2024, focusing on preserving cultural sites in Cairo and Luxor.
- Recent Funding & Future
Outlook: In August 2024, USAID announced that "millions" in
funding had been directed to Egypt's cultural tourism sector, specifically
for restoring archaeological sites. Egypt's tourism sector is projected to
grow to 18.6 million visitors in 2026, with the Grand Egyptian Museum
(GEM) serving as a major driver.
Misinterpretation: Fact-checkers
have noted that claims suggesting $6 million was spent specifically on
"promoting tourism" are misleading, as the 2019 $6 million grant was
primarily focused on infrastructure and livelihoods.
Facebook +1
Latest Developments (2025-2026):
- In late 2025, Egypt's tourism
sector was experiencing a boom, with 15 million visitors reported in the
first nine months.
- A new joint task force was
created in December 2025 to increase foreign investment in the sector,
according to 2025/2026 reports.
- USAID continues to collaborate
with the Egyptian government on cultural heritage and tourism
projects.
Medium +3
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