Trump's week in review: From gutting USAID to protecting women's sports

1. Gutted USAID 

The Trump administration took multiple actions throughout the week to drastically reduce the size of the United States Agency for International Development. The White House detailed the reasons for its actions in a Monday factsheet titled “At USAID, Waste and Abuse Runs Deep.” 

“For decades, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been unaccountable to taxpayers as it funnels massive sums of money to the ridiculous — and, in many cases, malicious — pet projects of entrenched bureaucrats, with next-to-no oversight,” the White House stated.

Reported examples of problematic payments made by the agency include $1.5 million to “advance diversity equity and inclusion in Serbia’s workplaces and business communities,” as well as $2 million for sex changes and “LGBT activism” in Colombia, $47,000 for a “transgender opera” in Colombia and $32,000 for a “transgender comic book” in Peru. 

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In a statement published Monday, the U.S. State Department announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was taking on the role of Acting Administrator of USAID as part of an effort to gain “control and better understanding over the agency’s activity.” The State Department said Rubio notified Congress that “a review of USAID’s foreign assistance activities is underway with an eye towards potential reorganization.” 

As of Friday, USAID’s website contains a notice to employees that as of 11:59 p.m. ET Friday, “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 specifically designated programs.” Those expected to continue working because of their designation as “essential” were informed of their status Thursday.

The Trump administration plans to keep only 294 out of more than 10,000 USAID staffers globally, sources told Reuters. Trump’s efforts to gut USAID have already had implications for religious charitable organizations, including Catholic Relief Services. The agency, which received half of its funding from USAID, is preparing for massive cuts.