The Trump administration has simultaneously dismantled foreign aid programs supporting fragile democracies abroad and put on leave federal workers who protect US elections at home, in a move that current and former officials say abandons decades of American commitments to democracy.
US foreign aid agencies, including USAID, have halted funding for democracy and human rights-focused programs. The Department of Homeland Security has also laid off employees who work to protect election systems from security threats at home. These moves are expected to have a lasting impact on democracies around the world.
Critics say that these actions undermine the US government’s credibility as a defender of democracy and human rights, potentially jeopardizing decades of trust with foreign allies. The decision to freeze foreign aid programs has been met with resistance from some autocratic governments, which welcome the cuts.
A federal judge recently partially paused the Trump administration’s foreign aid freeze, ordering that the flow of money be restored for specific contracts, grants, and loans. However, it remains unclear whether these programs will be fully revived in the near future.
Experts warn that this chaotic situation could have far-reaching consequences, including disruptions to critical election security efforts. The move to put CISA’s election specialists on leave has raised concerns about the potential for foreign operatives targeting US elections.
Shannon Green, a former senior USAID official, described the situation as a “massive betrayal of trust” that will be difficult to recover from. Experts urge caution and emphasize the importance of maintaining robust democracy and human rights programs to protect American leadership and moral authority.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/15/politics/trump-administration-cuts-democracy-support-programs/index.html