Staff Reports
The fallout from a recent executive order by Donald Trump appears to overshadow the lives of many Americans, particularly those working in the nonprofit sector and agriculture. As the U.S. government halted foreign assistance funding, many are now sitting on the edge of financial ruin, wondering how this will affect their livelihoods. Workers, businesses, and farmers alike are left with the chilling realization that their futures hang in the balance—all due to a sudden cut in funds from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
The Trump administration’s decision to freeze foreign aid has triggered a wave of layoffs across the board. A group monitoring the impacts, USAID Stop-Work, claims that up to 13,000 American workers have lost their jobs, with actual figures possibly exceeding that. This isn’t just a few individuals here and there; it’s a seismic shift affecting thousands who pour their hearts into their work. It’s a sobering moment when a supply-chain executive makes tearful calls to employees informing them of their impending unemployment.
Farmers are also conspicuously worried. Take, for instance, one Missouri farmer who recalls his grandfather’s wisdom about hunger leading to conflict. The notion resonates now more than ever, as he reflects on how vital it is for American farmers to feed the world. As U.S. agricultural exports continue to confront obstacles, many farmers are left to ponder the long-term consequences of these government decisions on their very ability to survive and thrive in the global market.
Meanwhile, established philanthropic organizations aren’t faring much better. A Maryland-based nonprofit, historically linked to the Jewish experience of persecution, now finds itself felled by the sudden loss of 60% of its funding, leaving its broad mission to help vulnerable populations in jeopardy. The group, which once thrived under more robust funding sources, is now facing a grim future with a significant reduction in its workforce. The founder’s assessment is simple: this isn’t merely a suspension of funds but an actual termination of support that will have long-lasting impacts.
There's the executive in a U.S. supply-chain company whose voice breaks while facing the next round of calls telling employees they no longer have jobs. https://t.co/H9Wc5U2pxF
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) February 19, 2025
Amid all this chaos, one nonprofit director recounts the anxiety of explaining layoffs to his staff. The sudden halt to funding is not just a shocking decision; it’s the beginning of dismantling almost six decades of collaborative U.S. efforts to support global development and security. For some, it raises concerns about who may fill the vacuum left by the U.S., and whether it will lead to increased international hostility, a risk that nobody should take lightly.
How Republicans will navigate this situation moving forward remains to be seen, but it’s clear Americans are a resilient bunch. The concerns expressed by these workers and farmers likely won’t chip away at support for Trump. As they grapple with this upheaval, many remain patient, trusting that the administration has a bigger picture in mind—one that aims to conserve U.S. interests while recalibrating international relationships. The priority seems to be clear: keeping America strong at home, even if it means facing short-term challenges abroad.
