USAID Official Placed on Leave After Leaked Memos Criticize Administration’s Foreign Aid Policies and Warn of Global Health Risks

In recent developments within the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Nicholas Enrich, the acting assistant administrator for Global Health, has been placed on administrative leave. This action follows the release of memos authored by Enrich that critique the handling of foreign aid under the current administration. The memos, which have been partially obtained by major news outlets, highlight significant concerns regarding the implementation of humanitarian assistance and the potential consequences of recent policy decisions.

The memos, addressed to the Bureau of Global Health, detail the processes and implications of recent terminations within the bureau. Enrich’s documents also express criticism of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s temporary waiver and the broader pause on foreign aid. According to sources familiar with the situation, Enrich’s memos argue that the current political leadership at USAID, the Department of State, and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has hindered the agency’s ability to deliver essential humanitarian aid.

Enrich’s memos suggest that the failure to provide this aid could lead to severe global health repercussions, including preventable deaths and increased threats to national security. The documents reportedly outline the potential for widespread destabilization and emphasize the critical nature of the assistance that has been delayed or withheld. These assertions stand in contrast to Secretary Rubio’s claims that lifesaving humanitarian assistance was exempt from the recent freeze on foreign aid.

The situation has garnered significant attention, with one of the memos being published by the New York Times. The release of these documents has sparked discussions about the impact of political decisions on global health initiatives and the role of USAID in addressing international humanitarian needs. As the situation unfolds, the implications of these memos and the administrative actions taken against Enrich continue to be closely monitored by both domestic and international observers.