---
title: "Hundreds of US diplomats join letter to Rubio to protest dismantling of USAID"
description: "WASHINGTON, March 5 (Reuters) - Hundreds of diplomats at the State Department and US Agency for International Development have formally written to Secretary of State Marco Rubio protesting the dismantling of USAID, saying its dismantling undermines US leadership and security and leaves power vacuums for China and Russia to fill."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "USAID"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-03-05-hundreds-of-us-diplomats-join-letter-to-rubio-to-protest-dismantling-of-usaid/"
published: "2025-03-05T23:15:58"
updated: "2025-03-05T23:26:41"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 456
---

# Hundreds of US diplomats join letter to Rubio to protest dismantling of USAID

> WASHINGTON, March 5 (Reuters) - Hundreds of diplomats at the State Department and US Agency for International Development have formally written to Secretary of State Marco Rubio protesting the dismantling of USAID, saying its dismantling undermines US leadership and security and leaves power vacuums for China and Russia to fill.

By Reuters · Published 6 March 2025, 01:15 SAST · Updated 6 March 2025, 01:26 SAST

## Key points
- In a diplomatic cable that reads like a desperate plea from a sinking ship, over 700 US diplomats are sounding the alarm on the Trump administration's foreign aid freeze, warning that it not only jeopardizes lives abroad but also risks turning America's allies into adversaries faster than you can say "America First."
- Over 700 diplomats express concerns in a leaked cable about the Trump administration's freeze on foreign aid, citing risks to American diplomats and millions reliant on US assistance.
- The aid freeze jeopardizes crucial partnerships and allows adversaries to gain influence, according to the cable seen by Reuters.
- The administration's drastic cuts, eliminating 92% of multiyear awards, have caused significant harm to global humanitarian efforts and economic repercussions domestically.
- The US Supreme Court rules against withholding payments to foreign aid organizations, reinforcing the need for timely financial support to contractors.

## Content

In a cable filed with the department's internal "dissent channel," which allows diplomats to raise concerns about policy anonymously, the diplomats said the Trump administration's January 20 freeze on almost all foreign aid also endangers American diplomats and forces overseas while putting at risk the lives of millions abroad that depend on US assistance.

More than 700 people have signed onto the letter, a US official speaking on the condition of anonymity said.

"The decision to freeze and terminate foreign aid contracts and assistance awards without any meaningful review jeopardizes our partnerships with key allies, erodes trust, and creates openings for adversaries to expand their influence," said the cable, a copy of which was seen by Reuters.

The Republican president, pursuing what he has called an "America First" agenda, [ordered a 90-day pause](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL2N3OK0VU&linkedFromStory=true) on all foreign aid on his January 20 return to office. The order halted USAID operations around the world, [jeopardizing delivery](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL6N3OZ00X&linkedFromStory=true) of life-saving food and medical aid, and throwing [global humanitarian relief](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL5N3PI165&linkedFromStory=true) efforts into chaos.

"The freeze on life-saving aid has already caused irreparable harm and suffering to millions of people around the world," the letter said, adding that despite statements on waivers being issued for life-saving programs, the funding remained shut.

The president tasked billionaire and adviser [Elon Musk](https://www.reuters.com/business/elon-musk/) with [dismantling USAID](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N3OU020&linkedFromStory=true) as part of an unprecedented push to shrink the federal government over what both say is wasteful spending and abuse of funds.

"Foreign assistance is not charity. Instead, it is a strategic tool that stabilizes regions, prevents conflict, and advances US interests," the letter said.

A State Department spokesperson, when asked about the cable, said: “We do not comment on leaked internal communication."

In fiscal year 2023, the [United States](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/) disbursed $72 billion of aid worldwide, on everything from women's health in conflict zones to access to clean water, HIV/AIDS treatments, energy security and anti-corruption work.

Upon evaluating 6,200 multiyear awards, the administration [decided to eliminate](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL2N3PI0VC&linkedFromStory=true) nearly 5,800 of them worth $54 billion in value, a 92% reduction, according to a State Department spokesperson. USAID fired or put on administrative leave thousands of staff and contractors.

The cable said the government's failure to pay outstanding invoices to contractors and implementing partners has severe economic repercussions.

"The resulting financial strain not only undermines confidence in the US government as a reliable partner, it also weakens domestic economic growth at a time of mounting global competition," the cable said.

The US Supreme Court [declined on Wednesday to let](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AW1N3OH012&linkedFromStory=true) the administration withhold payments to foreign aid organizations for work they already performed for the government, upholding a district judge's order that had called on the administration to promptly release payments to contractors.

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Mark Porter and Howard Goller)