The work of the US Agency for International Development was important enough to the president that during his 2019 State of the Union address, he unveiled a new key priority within the agency to be spearheaded by his daughter.
“As part of our commitment to improving opportunity for women everywhere, this Thursday we are launching the first ever government-wide initiative focused on economic empowerment for women in developing countries,” he said in the House of Representatives.
Days later in the Oval Office, joined by Ivanka Trump, top officials and women directly impacted by US funding for women’s economic empowerment abroad, he signed a presidential memorandum establishing W-GDP, the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity initiative, calling it a matter of national security and a “tremendous step for women.”
But six years later, Trump has frozen nearly all foreign assistance, and his administration is gutting USAID, which he’s said is run by “radical lunatics.” USAID staff around the world were supposed to be placed on leave with orders to return to the US on Friday, but a federal judge that afternoon temporarily ordered the administration to halt its plans.
The Trump’s administration’s targeting of USAID is hitting hard for some beneficiaries of Ivanka Trump’s work overseas.
“Folks that she interacted with and that she gave hope and promise to – that’s been ripped away from them. … I mean, we’re just absolutely devastated,” said a current USAID employee.
Nino Zambakhidze, a Georgian farmer showcased during Trump’s signing ceremony, said the upheaval has been “shocking” and comes at a time when the “world already feels upside down.”
“When I saw President Trump was elected again, I thought it was going to bring more support for women’s economic empowerment because he loved this program,” added Zambakhidze, who said she launched a successful farm in her eastern European country with the help of US financial assistance after four lending institutions shot her down because she was a woman.
She came to see Trump and his daughter as “the ones willing to invest in women in order to get more equality and a more peaceful and sustainable world,” and now is struggling to understand “what the hell is going on.”
A spokesperson for Ivanka Trump did not respond to multiple inquiries regarding her stance on the administration’s moves to disband USAID. Having decamped to Florida, she’s largely left politics and is not playing the same role she did during her father’s first four years in the White House. The White House did not return CNN’s request for comment.
Donald Trump’s willingness to abandon a program he once championed is illustrative of a greater pivot from his past approach to foreign aid. It aligns with his campaign pledge to slash federal spending, a promise now being carried out with striking swiftness by tech billionaire Elon Musk, leaving government workers scrambling to keep pace. The move also echoes the sharp critique of foreign assistance outlined in Project 2025, a conservative policy blueprint for a potential second Trump term written by many of his allies and former advisers.
Trump’s reversal on USAID has nevertheless left the international community reeling. Even as he proposed successive budgets slashing its funding, Trump during his first term also gave USAID a seat at the table as he shaped his national defense strategy, said Noam Unger, the director of the Sustainable Development and Resilience Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. That defense blueprint, released a year after Trump took office, called past work boosting developing countries “some of the greatest triumphs of American statecraft” and outlined plans to unleash private sector investment to spread US influence and progress worldwide.
“There was a very conscious effort in the first Trump administration to leverage tools of US foreign policy, including aid, to counter the malign influence of adversaries and rivals of the US on the global stage,” Unger said.
The broad support for foreign aid within his firstadministration was on display during Trump’s W-GDP signing ceremony. Joined by lawmakers from both parties, United Nations Ambassador John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Trump declared his “national security strategy says investing in women helps achieve greater peace and prosperity for nations.”
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said the program would unleash $12 trillion in world GDP, “creating another China without the trade deficit.” Trump grinned in response.
“Economic stability is good defense policy,” Trump’s acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan said during the signing.
Then, turning to Ivanka Trump, Shanahan added: “I’m hoping your initiative will put me out of business.”
During her father’s first administration, Ivanka Trump personally worked with USAID to develop the W-GDP initiative, building relationships at the agency and within the private sector; leaning on the agency’s development expertise and global footprint to create a three-pronged program aimed at women’s education and entrepreneurship; and eliminating the legal, regulatory and cultural barriers that prevent women from participating in the economy.
A relatively noncontroversial, apolitical project, it was, by many measures, a major success and signature achievement of her legacy. Though it was rebranded under the Biden administration, the initiative continued to thrive and impact women around the globe. USAID’s initial $50 million investment in the fund was boosted to $300 million by its third year, according to a fact sheet provided by a current USAID employee earlier this week.
“Because it was one of the good news stories that came out of that White House – economically empowering women is a good thing, most people can agree on that – she was very interested and involved,” said one source who worked closely with Ivanka Trump and her team on the initiative, who requested anonymity to speak freely.
The program reached 12 million women in its first year, according to background material provided by the White House at the time.
“When women are economically empowered, society prospers and peace prevails,” Ivanka Trump said at the time in a video promoting the work.
Lillian Achomo, a Uganda-based project manager, joined the Trumps in the Oval Office as the president held the signing ceremony establishing W-GDP.
Recalling that February 2019 day, Achomo told CNN she was shocked by the attention on her work, which was part of a women-led effort to provide affordable internet to rural communities and had benefited from a 2018 grant from an Ivanka Trump-spearheaded program through USAID that served as a precursor to W-GDP.
“Our work is actually recognized, you know? Our work in the communities down in northern Uganda is actually recognized by America, by American president,” Achomo said. “Supporting a woman with just some little capital causes, really, a multiplier effect, and to me it was an opportunity to really air that out, for him to put emphasis on it. And I was very appreciative that that opportunity was given to me.”
The project, Achomo said, impacted thousands of people in Kenya, Namibia, Senegal and Morocco, and would not have been possible without that USAID funding.
“It changed the entire organization. … It’s really changed a lot of lives,” she said.
Ivanka Trump sent Achomo a personal letter after their visit.
“I was deeply touched by your story, and appreciated your contributions to our discussion on the importance of global women’s economic empowerment as a catalyst for global peace, prosperity, and stability,” Trump wrote in the letter, now framed in Achomo’s home.
The White House continued to champion Ivanka Trump’s initiative and its reach. Shortly after she joined then-USAID administrator Mark Green on a trip to Cote d’Ivoire, the administration touted the amendment of the nation’s marriage law, which allowed women and men to have equal and joint ownership over household assets for the first time, as an example of the program’s influence.
Green, now the president and CEO of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, was not available for an interview with CNN, a spokesman for the organization said. His successor John Barsa, reached by phone at his Virginia home, told CNN he was not speaking to media at this time.
After the first Trump administration, W-GDP was re-launched as the Gender Equity and Equality Action Fund (GEEA) and continued to invest an additional $300 million in direct resources, according to the fact sheet provided by a current USAID staff member.
As of April 2024, 55 of the program’s awards were active and were still being implemented, the fact sheet noted. The projects included issues of women’s lands rights, closing the digital divide, advancing women’s leadership in agriculture, and food security, entrepreneurship and leadership in the energy sector. More than 60 additional projects were launched under GEEA, according to the fact sheet.
A 2024 USAID progress report chronicling the impact of GEEA obtained by CNN said that its investments in women’s economic security programs “reached more than 686,000 individuals across 87 countries”; “supported more than 18,000 women to expand their entrepreneurial and digital skills, labor rights, and employment opportunities”; and “assisted more than 26,000 women to receive legally recognized and documented land or marine tenure rights.”
But on January 27, with Donald Trump back in power, the GEEA program was subject to a stop order halting USAID operations. The future of the program is unclear.
Getting rid of programs like GEEA, the source who worked closely with Ivanka Trump said, is “making the US weaker and it’s putting Americans in danger, ultimately.”
Zambakhidze, the Georgian farmer, remained optimistic the president would eventually reverse course, citing his past support for his daughter’s work through USAID.
“Once they review the different projects, I hope they will see the benefits they brought to rural women in different countries,” she said, “and maybe they’ll start the programs again.”
President Trump is making waves once again with his latest decision to gut an agency that his own daughter, Ivanka Trump, once championed. The agency in question is the Office of Child Care, which has long been a priority for Ivanka as she has been an advocate for child care reform.
The Office of Child Care is responsible for providing support and resources to low-income families in need of child care services. However, Trump’s recent budget proposal includes significant cuts to the agency, which could have devastating effects on families who rely on its assistance.
Critics argue that this move is hypocritical, given Ivanka’s previous support for child care issues. They point out that her father’s administration seems to be prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthy over the needs of working families.
It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the Office of Child Care and the families who depend on its services. But one thing is clear: Trump’s actions are raising eyebrows and sparking debate once again.
Donald Trump might be absorbing all the political oxygen right now, but his successor and predecessor isn’t ready to totally exit the stage.
Joe Biden has signed with Creative Artists Agency in all areas, the agency said Monday.
“President Biden is one of America’s most respected and influential voices in national and global affairs,” Richard Lovett, co-chairman of CAA, said today of the agency’s former and now present client. “His lifelong commitment to public service is one of unity, optimism, dignity, and possibility. We are profoundly honored to partner with him again.”
Biden had been with CAA from 2017-2020, after leaving Washington, D.C. and his role as Vice Presidency and before being elected as the 46th President of the United States. During that time, Biden published his memoir Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose about the death of his eldest son Beau. The book, published in November 2017, was a No. 1 New York Times bestseller and evolved into the big-draw American Promise tour, a prelude in the eyes of many to Biden’s successful 2020 run for the White House.
With it being just two weeks since he left office, there’s no indication Biden has a new book or project in the hopper. On the other hand, it’s doubtful the 82-year-old Democrat would return to CAA if he doesn’t something up his sleeve. While keeping a low-ish profile, Biden has been seen out and about around his Delaware home and is staying in touch with ex-aides and others, I hear.
Exiting the nation’s capital last month after more than 50 years of public service, Biden told supporters: “We’re leaving office, we’re not leaving the fight.”
Biden’s old boss and buddy Barack Obama is also represented by CAA through he and former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground production company.
In a surprising move, President Joe Biden has signed with the prestigious Creative Artists Agency (CAA) talent agency for representation. This marks the first time a sitting president has joined a talent agency, signaling a shift in the way political figures navigate their careers post-office.
According to sources, CAA will work with President Biden to secure speaking engagements, book deals, and other opportunities that align with his interests and values. The agency, known for representing top Hollywood talent and influential figures, is expected to leverage President Biden’s vast experience and knowledge to secure lucrative deals for him.
This move comes as no surprise, as President Biden has always been a charismatic and engaging speaker, drawing crowds wherever he goes. With CAA’s expertise in the entertainment industry, President Biden is sure to make a splash in the world of public speaking and beyond.
Stay tuned for more updates on President Biden’s exciting new venture with CAA!
Alex Bregman has been one of the best players in baseball since his first full season with the Houston Astros in 2017, helping them to eight consecutive trips to the playoffs and two World Series titles. He ranks 10th among position players in WAR since 2017, he’s a two-time All-Star, an MVP runner-up and just won his first Gold Glove.
He’s the kind of player every team and every manager would love to have, not just for his production but for the intangibles he brings. A.J. Hinch, then the manager of the Astros, once told ESPN: “I’ve never been around a player who enjoys playing baseball as much as Alex Bregman.”
Bregman has been a consistent performer the past three seasons, averaging 4.5 WAR, 25 home runs and 89 RBIs. While that doesn’t match his 2018-19 peak, that’s still good enough to make him one of the top 25 position players in the sport. And there are teams that need a third baseman: 14 teams in 2024 received an OPS under .700 from third base.
Yet, it’s February, with spring training just around the corner and Bregman remains unsigned, a little perplexing for a player with his credentials. Of course, teams are paying for what Bregman is going to do in the future — and there are some red flags for a player who reportedly turned down a six-year, $156 million offer from the Astros in December. Those have perhaps made teams hesitant to match Bregman’s asking price.
We’ve detailed the All-Star veteran’s strengths, so let’s dig into those red flags and which teams are a best fit.
Alex Bregman is one of the most sought-after free agents in the 2025 MLB offseason, and for good reason. The talented third baseman has proven himself to be a valuable asset to any team with his impressive skill set and consistent performance on the field.
Strengths:
– Bregman is known for his exceptional hitting ability, with a career batting average well above .300. He has power at the plate, consistently hitting home runs and driving in runs for his team.
– Defensively, Bregman is a standout player at third base. He has great range, a strong arm, and excellent fielding skills, making him a reliable defender.
– Bregman is also a smart and savvy baserunner, often stealing bases and putting pressure on opposing pitchers and defenses.
Concerns:
– One concern with Bregman is his health and durability. He has had a few injuries throughout his career, which could be a red flag for teams looking to sign him to a long-term contract.
– Some critics have also pointed out Bregman’s occasional struggles in pressure situations, particularly in the postseason. While he has performed well overall in the playoffs, there have been moments where he has underperformed.
Best fits:
– The New York Yankees could be a great fit for Bregman, as they are in need of a reliable third baseman with power and defensive prowess. Bregman’s offensive skills could thrive in Yankee Stadium, and he could provide a boost to their lineup.
– The Los Angeles Dodgers are another potential landing spot for Bregman, as they have a strong team and are always looking to add top talent to their roster. Bregman’s versatility and consistency could make him a valuable asset for the Dodgers as they continue to compete for championships.
Overall, Alex Bregman is a top free agent in the 2025 offseason with a unique skill set that could benefit a number of teams. With his impressive hitting, defensive abilities, and baserunning skills, Bregman is sure to be a valuable addition to any team that signs him.
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MLB 2025 free agency, Alex Bregman, strengths, concerns, best fits, Houston Astros, third baseman, baseball, contract negotiations, top free agents, MLB updates, player analysis, future teams, MLB trade rumors
The top agent at the F.B.I.’s New York field office vowed in a defiant email to his staff to “dig in” after the Trump administration targeted officials involved in the investigations into the Jan. 6 attack — and praised the bureau’s interim leaders for defending its independence.
“Today, we find ourselves in the middle of a battle of our own, as good people are being walked out of the F.B.I. and others are being targeted because they did their jobs in accordance with the law and F.B.I. policy,” wrote James E. Dennehy, a veteran and highly respected agent who has run the largest and arguably the most important field office in the bureau since September.
Mr. Dennehy, through a representative in New York, declined to comment.
The email, viewed by The New York Times, came after the Justice Department ordered the F.B.I. on Friday to collect the names of bureau personnel who helped investigate the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, raising the possibility that Mr. Trump’s political appointees plan to purge career bureau officials, including rank-and-file field agents. That number could reach 6,000 — or about a sixth of the bureau’s 38,000 employees, according to the F.B.I.
At least nine high-ranking officials have been forced out since Mr. Trump’s inauguration, plunging the bureau into confusion. Mr. Dennehy wrote that those removals had spread “fear and angst within the F.B.I. ranks.”
That sense of dread was stoked by a remarkable questionnaire sent to bureau employees, asking them to describe what, if any, role they had in investigating and prosecuting Jan. 6 rioters.
The form requires the employees to say if they collected evidence, provided support services, interviewed witnesses, executed search warrants or testified at trial — basic activities of F.B.I. employees during the normal and lawful course of their duties. They have until 3 p.m. Monday to complete the forms.
Robert C. Kissane, the acting deputy director, sought to allay concerns that F.B.I. employees would be punished for doing their jobs as he tried to answer questions about the list that the Justice Department was gathering.
“We do not view anyone’s identification on the list as an indicator of any misconduct,” he wrote in a lengthy message to staff members, adding that “we are still working with D.O.J. to better understand the purpose for which the list is being sought.”
Mr. Kissane said the F.B.I. had conducted about 2,400 investigations related to the attack on the Capitol and circulated the questionnaire based on the names of everyone connected to those cases. He said that those who received the questionnaire were not required to fill it out, but that management was obligated to do so.
Mr. Dennehy, in his email, urged his employees to remain calm and not to make any rushed decisions about their careers as he committed to providing assistance to them no matter what happened. He also suggested he had no intention of stepping down.
“Time for me to dig in,” he wrote.
In an extraordinary gesture, Mr. Dennehy, a former Marine, praised the two top acting officials at the F.B.I., Brian Driscoll and Mr. Kissane, for “fighting” for the bureau’s employees. Both resisted efforts to immediately oust career employees, and they pushed for a formal review process to delay or mitigate the disruption, according to people familiar with the situation.
“They are warriors,” he said of those who pushed back on broad dismissals of F.B.I. personnel across the bureau, according to people directly familiar with the matter.
Such is the uncertainty at the F.B.I. that some bureau leaders have felt compelled to email colleagues to say they have not been removed.
“I know a lot of you have seen or heard reports that F.B.I. executives have been asked to resign or be fired,” the top agent in Seattle wrote on Friday in a message viewed by The Times. “To clarify my own status, as of this writing I have not been fired or asked to resign, nor have I received any indication I might be.”
On Saturday, the F.B.I. issued an unusual statement reassuring the work force that Mr. Driscoll was still the acting director. And Mr. Dennehy, in his email, also pushed back on rumors that anyone had been removed outside the small group of officials already known to have been ousted.
Mr. Dennehy’s office has roughly 1,100 agents and about 500 task officers, who are police investigators and law enforcement officers from other federal agencies assigned to work with the F.B.I. The number of agents in New York at times makes up as much as 10 percent of the agent population nationwide. There are also about 1,000 civilian employees, including analysts, technicians and other support staff.
One executive whose job appeared to be in peril, Spencer Evans, the top agent in Las Vegas, informed his staff on Thursday that he would be dismissed “from the rolls of the F.B.I.” as soon as Monday morning.
“I was given no rationale for this decision, which, as you might imagine, has come as a shock,” he wrote in an email viewed by The Times.
Another was the head of the New Orleans field office, who was asked to return to headquarters after his name surfaced as someone the administration might want to remove, according to current and former F.B.I. officials.
That agent was on vacation when a terrorist drove through a crowd on New Year’s Day and drew criticism for being away during Mardi Gras. On Jan. 6, 2021, he was also a top supervisor in the Washington field office and helped to direct the bureau’s response to the attack on the Capitol.
The Society of Former Special Agents of the F.B.I., which represents thousands of retirees, called the forced resignations “illegal actions” that violated civil service laws and the due process rights of employees. The Justice Department has not accused any of those targeted with improper conduct, and has based most of the personnel actions on the president’s discretion under the Constitution.
In his message to employees, Mr. Dennehy described those who had left as “extraordinary individuals,” saying, “I mourn the forced retirements.”
Mr. Dennehy likened the current situation to his days as a Marine in the early 1990s, when he dug a small foxhole five feet deep and hunkered down for safety.
“It sucked,” he wrote. “But it worked.”
The recent removals at the F.B.I. have caused quite a stir, but the top agent in New York is not backing down. In a statement released today, the agent vowed to “dig in” and continue the fight against corruption and injustice.
Despite the setbacks, the agent remains steadfast in their dedication to upholding the law and protecting the American people. With a track record of successful investigations and a reputation for being a tough and relentless agent, there is no doubt that they will continue to do whatever it takes to bring criminals to justice.
In the face of adversity, the top F.B.I. agent in New York is ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work. With their determination and unwavering commitment to serving the public, there is no doubt that they will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the fight against crime.
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F.B.I. Agent, New York, Removals, Agency, Investigation, Top Agent, Law Enforcement, Dig In, Vows, FBI, New York City, Leadership, Challenges, Resilience, Determination, Commitment
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican-controlled Senate on Wednesday confirmed Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, a key role to help President Donald Trump fulfill his pledge to roll back major environmental regulations, including those aimed at slowing climate change and encouraging use of electric vehicles.
The vote was 56-42 in Zeldin’s favor. Three Democrats — Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly of Arizona and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania — supported Zeldin, along with all 53 Republicans.
Zeldin, a former Republican congressman from New York, is a longtime Trump ally and served on Trump’s defense team during his first impeachment. He voted against certifying Trump’s 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden.
Zeldin, 44, said during his confirmation hearing that he has a moral responsibility to be a good steward of the environment and pledged to support career staff who have dedicated themselves to the agency’s mission to protect human health and the environment.
Zeldin repeatedly declined to commit to specific policies, however, promising instead not to prejudge outcomes before arriving at EPA. When asked by Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska whether he would roll back programs that promote electric cars — a program Trump has repeatedly criticized — Zeldin stayed vague but acknowledged he has heard Republican complaints.
Trump, who has called climate change a hoax, has vowed to overturn former President Joe Biden’s biggest climate accomplishments, including tailpipe regulations for vehicles and slashed pollution from power plants fired by coal and natural gas. Trump has already moved to oust career staff at EPA and other agencies, remove scientific advisers and close an office that helps minority communities that disproportionately struggle with polluted air and water.
Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island called Zeldin the wrong man for the job.
“We need an EPA administrator who will take climate change seriously, treat the science honestly and stand up where necessary to the political pressure that will be coming from the White House, where we have a president who actually thinks (climate change) is a hoax, and from the huge fossil fuel forces that propelled him into office with enormous amounts of political money and who now think they own the place,” Whitehouse said in a Senate speech.
Trump is “under the thumb of the fossil fuel industry,” Whitehouse said, adding that the EPA administrator “has to be truthful and factual and support and defend our environment and our safety from climate change.”
He has nothing against Zeldin personally, Whitehouse added, “but the likelihood of him standing against that fossil fuel bulldozer that is coming at him is essentially zero. And in that context, this is very much the wrong guy.”
Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said Zeldin will return the EPA to its original mission of protecting America’s air, water and land — without “suffocating the economy.”
Barrasso called Zeldin “a lifelong public servant” and a seasoned lawyer with a sharp legal mind and over 20 years of military service.
Zeldin will continue Trump’s “mission to roll back punishing, political regulations” at the EPA, “cut red tape” and oversee “a new wave of creativity and innovation,” Barrasso said.
“For the last four years, the so-called experts at the Environmental Protection Agency went on a reckless regulatory rampage,” Barrasso said, referring to the Biden administration. “They saddled American families and businesses with higher costs and heavy-handed restrictions. They bowed to climate extremism and ignored common sense.”
Zeldin “will right the ship and restore balance at the EPA,” Barrasso said, citing likely actions to repeal Biden-era rules on tailpipe emissions and power plants, along with eliminating federal subsidies for electric vehicles.
The League of Conservation Voters, a national environmental advocacy group, has panned Zeldin’s lifetime environmental record, giving him a 14% score. Like all Republicans at the time, he voted against the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act aimed at boosting renewable energy and manufacturing and fighting climate change.
Zeldin supported a bill to reduce harmful forever chemicals, called PFAS, that would have required the EPA to set limits on substances in drinking water. He also was a leading proponent of the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act, which used oil and gas royalties to help the National Park Service tackle its massive maintenance backlog. He’s also supported local conservation efforts on Long Island.
Zeldin said at his Jan. 16 hearing that he wants to collaborate with the private sector “to promote common-sense, smart regulation that will allow American innovation to continue to lead the world.”
The EPA under his leadership “will prioritize compliance as much as possible,” Zeldin said. “I believe in the rule of law and I want to work with people to ensure they do their part to protect the environment.”
Today, the Senate confirmed former Congressman Lee Zeldin as the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Zeldin’s confirmation comes amidst President Trump’s vow to roll back climate regulations and cut environmental protections.
Zeldin, a staunch advocate for deregulation and a critic of climate change science, is expected to lead the EPA in a new direction that aligns with the Trump administration’s pro-business agenda. His confirmation has sparked controversy among environmentalists and lawmakers who fear that his leadership could lead to further dismantling of crucial environmental protections.
President Trump has made it clear that he intends to prioritize economic growth over environmental concerns, and Zeldin’s appointment is seen as a step in that direction. With Zeldin at the helm, the EPA is likely to see a significant shift in its approach to climate change and other environmental issues.
As Zeldin takes the reins at the EPA, it remains to be seen how his leadership will impact the agency’s mission to protect the environment and public health. Environmental advocates and concerned citizens will be closely watching to see how Zeldin’s policies shape the future of environmental protection in the United States.
Jewell Loyd donned a gray dri-fit shirt with the Las Vegas Aces logo across the chest as she sat in front of a black backboard branded with more of her new team logos Saturday for her introductory press conference. A smile was plastered across her face.
After spending the past decade with the Seattle Storm, Loyd is excited and rejuvenated for a new opportunity.
“I can’t wait,” Loyd said. “I’ve been smiling the whole week.”
Jewell Loyd #24 of the Seattle Storm handles the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces during Round one Game one of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs on September 22, 2024 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NBAE via Getty Images
Loyd and Plum were among the first major moves of free agency that sent shockwaves through the league.
Since news broke of that tentative deal earlier this week – which was made official on the first day of the WNBA free agency signing period Saturday – many other high-profile players have decided to suit up for different teams in 2025.
Alyssa Thomas is expected to sign with the Phoenix Mercury after spending the first 11 years of her WNBA career with the Connecticut Sun. She’ll be playing alongside Satou Sabally, who was moved to Phoenix as part of another major three-team trade.
Longtime Mercury center and nine-time All-Star Brittney Griner landed on the Atlanta Dream as her next destination, where she’ll team up with Brionna Jones who left Connecticut this offseason after eight seasons.
Phantom center Brittney Griner (42) defends against Mist forward Breanna Stewart (30) during the first half of an Unrivaled 3-on-3 basketball game Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, in Medley, Fla. APDallas Wings forward Satou Sabally handles the ball during a WNBA basketball game against the New York Liberty, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. AP
Courtney Vandersloot is returning to the Sky after spending two seasons in New York, and Kelsey Mitchell is expected to re-sign with the Indiana Fever.
The list can go on and on.
But this trend of massive player movement in free agency has been ramping up for several years now. It’s partly due to players being more empowered than ever to dictate where they want to play.
“That’s just the evolution of the league and what we’re seeing basketball and women’s sports going,” Loyd said. “There’s definitely a lot more freedom and things happening and changes.
“For me personally, I just think that you want to always find ways to improve and get better. That’s what I’m trying to do every single day and that led me to be a part of the Aces. And so I just think that’s just the evolution of where the league is going.”
In some ways, the player movement is also sending a message to teams to get with the program or you’ll be left behind.
Some players, including Sabally, forced their way out of their current situations in search for better environments and player experiences.
Not every WNBA team has its own training facility with first-rate amenities.
In last year’s playoffs, the Sun infamously had a practice disrupted by a 2-year-old’s birthday party, which Thomas called “the ultimate disrespect.”
Being a part of Unrivaled this offseason opened Thomas’ eyes even more to the disparity in what Connecticut doesn’t offer its players.
“We don’t have any of this kind of stuff in Connecticut from the medical equipment to the cold tubs, the chefs, we don’t have anything like that in Connecticut,” Thomas said. “So that’s what we were accustomed to but being here and seeing how these kinds of things feel, I mean, it’s definitely a different experience for me…
“We’re pro-level athletes. You need these things to take care of your body to be successful and in Connecticut, we haven’t had any of that.”
Aces president Nikki Fargas said free agency also has benefited from increased investment from WNBA teams, including restructuring front offices and bolstering coaching staffs.
The days of head coaches also being general managers are over.
Las Vegas Aces President Nikki Fargas (L) and Tom Brady talk before the Aces’ game against the Phoenix Mercury at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images
But what’s unfolded over the past week is just the beginning, according to Fargas.
Most players will be signing only one-year deals because the new collective bargaining agreement that is expected to bring massive salary bumps is slated to come into effect in 2026.
The WNBA is also expected to add expansion teams in Toronto and Portland next season.
“We’re growing and expanding and bringing more teams, I think the opportunities are going to be limitless for the franchises to be able to put together quality rosters because we’re getting quality players in this league,” Fargas said. “Not only are we using the pipeline of players that are coming from the collegiate level but also internationally.”
The WNBA free agency period has always been an exciting time for fans and teams alike, but this year, the chaos lies more in the hands of the players than ever before. With a record number of unrestricted free agents hitting the market, many players are in a position to dictate their own futures and shape the league in significant ways.
Gone are the days when teams could easily retain their star players with lucrative contracts or other incentives. Now, players have more agency and power to choose where they want to play and with whom they want to team up. This newfound freedom has led to a flurry of activity in the free agency market, with players exploring all their options and considering all possibilities before making a decision.
This shift in power dynamic has created a sense of unpredictability and excitement in the WNBA, as fans eagerly await to see where their favorite players will end up. It also puts pressure on teams to make compelling offers and create appealing environments for players to choose them over other potential suitors.
As the free agency chaos unfolds, one thing is clear: the players are in control like never before, and their decisions will have a lasting impact on the league for years to come. Stay tuned for more updates as the drama continues to unfold.
The busiest time of the WNBA offseason is upon us as free agents meet with their prospective teams leading up to Feb. 1, when they can sign contracts.
The prospects of a new collective bargaining agreement will influence this season’s free agency, but expect to see stars change uniforms and championship contenders rearrange their rosters. Follow this tracker, where you’ll find news and analysis of moves that could reshape the league.
One of the concerns I had about the Mercury after the Alyssa Thomas sign-and-trade was that they had exhausted all of their potential assets for another deal. Even as league sources continued to indicate that Phoenix was making a push for Sabally, the math didn’t quite add up.
Those concerns did not come to pass. Instead, the Mercury had enough to get a deal done, turning their last 2024 rotation player plus Ty Harris – whose addition to the Thomas deal was a stroke of genius – into Sabally, who was a top-five player during her last fully healthy season in 2023. Phoenix didn’t even have to give up swap rights on its 2027 first-round pick (a.k.a. the JuJu Watkins draft), as its 2025 second-round selection (No. 19) was enough to get the deal done.
Mikiah Herbert Harrigan has some athletic promise, but she didn’t exactly pan out with the Mercury. The worst part of this deal is that Phoenix had to take on some bad salary in the form of Kalani Brown. That might hurt in 2025 as the Mercury fill out the rest of the roster, but once the cap goes up in 2026, her number will likely be the equivalent of a minimum deal.
Indiana: B+
The Fever swapped out Smith for a better fitting player in Cunningham at the cost of moving down 11 spots in the draft. With the acquisition of Natasha Howard in free agency, Smith’s skill set became redundant, while Cunningham can play the three or the four. It’s worth wondering if the front office could have avoided surrendering a first-round pick, but Indiana should be better in the short term with Cunningham, who has been a veritable 3-and-D forward over her last four seasons in Phoenix. The Fever are also overloaded with young talent, so they can afford to surrender some draft capital.
Dallas: D
To surrender an all-WNBA talent and get one rotation player in Harris — the jury is still out on Smith — plus a late first-rounder doesn’t seem like enough value for Sabally. At least the Wings cleared out Kalani Brown’s money, but they didn’t get any players on rookie contracts or high-upside draft assets. Phoenix legally couldn’t trade its 2027 first-rounder, but to not even get a swap in that draft feels like a miss for Dallas.
For readers who saw Connecticut’s A grade in the Alyssa Thomas trade (see below) and are wondering about the difference: Consider this a mea culpa. Cloud and Allen are better overall than Harris and Smith, but not by as significant of a margin, though Cloud has positional value because of the dearth of quality point guards league-wide. The Sun can likely flip Cloud into another first-round pick, and potentially even Allen, while Harris wouldn’t command a similar return. Even so, both teams should have negotiated harder with the Mercury. In hindsight, Connecticut’s return should have been in the C range, and Dallas’ is lower because of the lesser talent.
The Atlanta Dream made their second splashy free-agent signing in as many days, agreeing to terms with center Bri Jones. Jones now joins former Phoenix center Brittney Griner in a revamped Dream frontcourt under new head coach Karl Smesko.
The pairing of Jones and Griner seems duplicative, given both are post-up centers who will dabble in midrangers but don’t shoot 3s. They are both also paint-bound defenders. It’s an even more curious duo since Smesko’s offenses at Florida Gulf Coast never had a back-to-the-basket presence, let alone two. However, from a pure talent perspective, signing Jones is a no-brainer. She is a three-time All-Star and a FIBA World Cup champion. Jones was sixth league-wide in win shares in 2024 after finishing third in the W in both 2021 and 2022 (she missed most of the 2023 season with a torn achilles). Jones is also comfortable playing next to another big full-time, whether that was Alyssa Thomas or Jonquel Jones in Connecticut, so she should comfortably adapt to sharing the court with Griner. Although she doesn’t space the floor traditionally, she is a good cutter, allowing her to play off the ball. It’s worth noting that neither Jones nor Griner is an above-average defensive rebounder, however, which could be a deficiency of their pairing. Jones has been a sixth woman as recently as 2022 — and earned an All-Star nod that season — so it’s possible she will come off the bench, allowing Atlanta to stagger her and Griner alongside fourth-year forward Naz Hillmon. However, it’s more likely that her pedigree will put her into the starting lineup, creating a jumbo look with the 6-foot-9 Griner, 6-2 Rhyne Howard, and 6-foot Allisha Gray. Perhaps most importantly, bringing in Jones is another indicator that the Dream are becoming a desired free-agent destination. Atlanta’s offseason acquisitions a year ago (Jordin Canada and Aerial Powers) were more of the role player variety, but Griner and Jones are both multi-time All-Stars who had other options. Even if the fit is questionable, the Dream are collecting an enviable amount of talent.
Indiana Fever: A
Amid a flurry of trades across the WNBA, the Indiana Fever re-signed All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell to a one-year supermax contract worth around $249,000.
Sometimes an evaluation doesn’t need to be overcomplicated. Fever executives entered this offseason with the top priority of re-signing two-time All-Star Kelsey Mitchell. Mission accomplished.
On Wednesday, the franchise announced Mitchell will return for her eighth season with the Fever.
Like Alyssa Thomas and Kelsey Plum, Mitchell had been given the core designation earlier this January. But a trade always seemed unlikely as Indiana president of basketball Kelly Krauskopf drafted Mitchell No. 2 in the 2018 WNBA Draft and has remained steadfast in her support of the 5-foot-8 guard. When Krauskopf returned to the Fever this fall, she stressed that Mitchell was part of the Fever’s Big 3, calling her “extremely important to the success of this, our future.”
Mitchell is coming off her best pro season, recording career-highs in points (19.2) and field goal percentage (40.2 percent). More than just her statistics, however, her pairing with star guard Caitlin Clark was integral to Indiana’s playoff return. Clark and Mitchell played the most minutes of any two-player combination across the WNBA, with Indiana’s offense scoring 105.1 points per 100 possessions with them together.
Indiana will now be tasked with buffing out the rest of their roster. With their backcourt solidified, adding front-court depth will be even more important, especially after losing center Temi Fagbenle in the December expansion draft.
The Dream needed frontcourt improvements, and Griner was the most efficient scorer (1.12 points per play) among last season’s WNBA players averaging at least 15 points per game. Atlanta is already long at the wing positions, and adding Griner’s size provides some intimidating defensive length.
The stylistic fit doesn’t make a ton of sense, as Griner’s pace is more methodical than what the Dream should be aiming for. Nearly half of her offensive possessions were post-ups last season, and it would behoove Atlanta to have her run more pick-and-roll and play in transition. Griner is also too midrange-happy for a Karl Smesko offense. But the Dream needed more talent and they have plenty of cap space. Any future offseason plans will only be aided by acquiring Griner, who is beloved around the league.
The upside may not be terribly high here, but there is virtually no downside.
The Phoenix Mercury are finalizing a trade to acquire five-time All-Star and two-time All-WNBA first-team forward Alyssa Thomas from the Connecticut Sun.
The Mercury will receive Ty Harris in addition to Thomas, and Connecticut will receive Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen and the 12th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. The Sun gave Thomas the core designation earlier in January, meaning the only way Thomas can be moved is via a sign-and-trade, which cannot be made official until the official start of free agency.
Connecticut Sun: A
The Sun lost the best player in this trade, but they have remained competitive by getting Cloud and Allen in return. Cloud is arguably the best active WNBA player never to have been named an All-Star, and in a league where point guard play is at a premium, Cloud is a top-five player at her position. Allen is a plug-and-play starter thanks to her shooting and defensive versatility, and her 2023 season in Connecticut was perhaps the best of her career. Slot Cloud and Allen with Marina Mabrey, DiJonai Carrington and Brionna Jones — though the latter two are free agents — and that’s a lineup that will easily make the playoffs.
If Carrington and/or Jones also decide to play elsewhere, the Sun can easily pivot into a rebuild. They got back into the first round of the 2025 draft with the No. 12 pick and could flip Cloud and Allen into further assets. Cloud would be attractive to both of last year’s WNBA finalists — she always elevates her game in the postseason — as would Allen. Plenty of other teams could use a veteran point guard and wing defender. Carrington would also fetch a return as a restricted free agent.
Connecticut had to move Thomas, and the Sun did so without committing to a direction for the 2025 season. They can still be nimble depending on how the rest of free agency shakes out.
Phoenix Mercury: B-
Kudos to the Mercury for securing a commitment from the best player who will change teams this offseason. Thomas will essentially assume the point guard position (or forward or center, depending on your preference) in Phoenix, and Harris is an excellent shooter who made 42 percent of her 3s over the last two seasons in Connecticut. The Sun duo makes tons of sense next to Kahleah Copper and Sophie Cunningham.
But how in the world does Phoenix plan to fill out the rest of its roster?
The WNBA mandates that a team have at least one first-round pick within the next three drafts, so the Mercury could have traded their 2025 or 2027 picks in the Thomas deal. They likely held on to the 2027 pick because of the high potential of that draft class, when JuJu Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo and Madison Booker are all expected to turn pro. However, that means Phoenix missed out on an opportunity for a young, cheap contributor this year. Once the trade goes through, the Mercury will have five players under contract and have to rely on free agency for the final six roster spots.
Thomas’ fiancée DeWanna Bonner becomes an option, as the six-time All-Star won two titles in Phoenix. The Mercury can try to get some guard depth from the likes of Tiffany Hayes, Natisha Hiedeman and other veterans. Regardless, it seems as though Phoenix will still be top-heavy, and that lack of depth has caused it to fizzle in recent seasons.
In a massive three-team deal, the Seattle Storm are trading Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces in an agreement that will send star guard Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks. The Storm will also receive the Sparks’ No. 2 draft pick in the 2025 draft as well as former Los Angeles center Li Yueru. The Sparks will receive Seattle’s No. 9 draft pick and the Aces will get the Sparks’ No. 13 pick,
Seattle Storm: A
The Storm turned a player who didn’t want to be in Seattle into the No. 2 pick. Considering how badly Loyd had performed over the last two seasons as her jump shot completely betrayed her, to start over with the second pick is a tremendous outcome for this front office. The Storm did have to send the No. 9 pick to Los Angeles, but they got Li Yueru, a promising young center, in return, which is basically the median outcome of a pick in that range of the draft.
Los Angeles Sparks: B-
The Sparks are taking a huge risk on Plum making a long-term commitment to their franchise, as they could have continued to build for the future with a young guard (likely Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles at No. 2 in the 2025 draft) to complement their young frontcourt. However, it’s hard to stomach any more losing than L.A. has over the past four seasons, and with a new head coach and no 2026 first-round pick, it’s understandable the Sparks want to start a new chapter. Plum is arguably the best player or asset in this deal and could realistically get the organization back into the playoffs. However, she is turning 31 this season and likely will be on a one-year deal. The potential downside of this trade is enormous. Nevertheless, it’s a move L.A. arguably had to make, and filling its biggest free-agency need is a win.
Las Vegas: C
The Aces ended this trade with a worse player than they started. Kelsey Plum is a better shooter and playmaker than Loyd, while neither exactly impressed on defense in 2024. Las Vegas also broke up a quartet that won back-to-back titles, even if the Aces didn’t have a choice in the matter if Plum asked out. Loyd’s shooting decline has been precipitous since Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart left the Storm. There is a chance that she returns to her Seattle peak, but for Las Vegas to win a title in 2025, the version of Loyd from the last two years isn’t good enough, and the Aces are worse now than with Plum.
The draft pick exchange also doesn’t work out in favor of Las Vegas, as the Aces turned their 2026 first-rounder into the No. 13 pick in 2025. The draft selection will be in the same spot only if Vegas has the best record in 2025, but 2026 is projected to be a deeper draft. The Aces need the cost-controlled rookie this season with Loyd’s max salary. However, getting out of the 2026 draft could be costly.
How will CBA negotiations affect free agency?
Though some of this year’s free agents might sign multiyear deals this offseason, considering the economic windfall expected to hit the league next winter, many top free agents are expected to sign one-year deals and re-enter the market next season when salaries likely increase.
In late October, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association opted out of the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement, setting up negotiations for a new contract that will significantly affect the league’s future.
Talks between the two sides come amid a period of economic growth in women’s basketball. As evidenced by the ratings, attendance and merchandise boom this past summer, the WNBA announced a new media rights agreement in 2026 that will pay an average of $200 million over the next 11 years. Its current deal is valued at roughly $50 million annually. The increase in media rights is expected to lead to a jump in player salaries and league salary cap when the new CBA goes into effect.
Only two players — Kalani Brown and Lexie Brown — are not on rookie contracts but signed to a 2026 contract. More than 60 players who ended the 2024 season on a roster are expected to be free agents next year.
An offseason of record change seems increasingly possible as players who appear content on their current teams, including Breanna Stewart, have signed one-year contracts in recent years presumably to wait to ink a long-term contract at higher value in the 2026 offseason.
In early January, Sabally said she had informed the Dallas Wings about her desire to play for another franchise next season. Nevertheless, Dallas cored Sabally, meaning that any move involving the one-time All-WNBA first-team forward must be via a sign-and-trade.
DiJonai Carrington
Carrington is a restricted free agent, meaning Connecticut can match any offer sheet she signs with another team. However, all RFA offer sheets must be for at least two years, and Carrington is unlikely to sign a multiyear deal (because of CBA changes). As a result, Carrington’s situation is akin to that of a cored player: She likely will either return to the Sun on a one-year contract or get flipped to another team in a sign-and-trade.
Top 20 impact players at the start of free agency
Rank
Player
Team
1
Breanna Stewart*
2
Alyssa Thomas*
3
Satou Sabally*
4
Nneka Ogwumike
5
Emma Meesseman
6
Brionna Jones
7
Kelsey Mitchell*
8
Kelsey Plum*
9
DeWanna Bonner
10
Brittney Griner
11
DiJonai Carrington**
12
Chennedy Carter
13
Gabby Williams*
14
Tiffany Hayes
15
Tina Charles
16
Natasha Howard
17
Courtney Vandersloot
18
Alysha Clark
19
Natisha Hiedeman
20
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough*
*Player is cored
**Player is restricted
Key free-agency dates
WNBA franchises had from Jan. 11 to Jan. 20 to extend qualifying offers to make applicable players restricted or reserved free agents. In that window, players could accept qualifying offers, but these deals could be accepted only before Feb. 1.
Beginning Jan. 21, franchises could begin negotiating with free agents, no matter their classification. Contracts cannot be officially finalized and announced until Feb. 1.
What does it mean to be a cored player?
A core designation in the WNBA is similar to the NFL’s franchise tag. It can be applied to one unrestricted free agent per team to prevent a player from becoming an unrestricted free agent. Applying the core designation to a player gives the team exclusive negotiation rights, and any agreement between the player and team must be at minimum a fully guaranteed one-year deal worth the supermax.
A player can be cored for a maximum of two times in her career.
Cored players might not necessarily suit up for the franchise that applied the designation, but cored players can only then be moved in sign-and-trade agreements. This might become the case with Plum, Thomas and Sabally.
Keep an eye on how many — and which — draft picks get put into offseason trades. With the ongoing CBA negotiation, franchises might be hesitant to deal their first-round picks because the salary slotting of a first-round pick will almost assuredly be lower this year (around $76,000) than in the next CBA. Assuming next year’s CBA increases rookie minimums, players drafted this year would be locked into lower salaries than next year’s rookies.
Franchises can also trade picks in the 2027 WNBA Draft, but teams might be hesitant to deal such selections because of the incoming star power, including USC’s JuJu Watkins, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo and Texas’ Madison Booker.
In December, Golden State selected 11 players for its inaugural season. However, it’s likely all of those players won’t be part of Golden State’s roster. Only three players — Stephanie Talbot, Kayla Thornton and Kate Martin — are under contract with the Valkyries, and Golden State has the most cap room in the league. As a result, it could be a willing trade partner for players on supermax contracts or free agents looking to maximize their short-term earnings.
GO DEEPER
How the Golden State Valkyries constructed their first WNBA roster
Free-agency predictions
Stewart headlines another deep pool of free agents in the 2025 offseason, which features multiple former MVPs and multi-time All-Stars. Stewart has already announced that she will return to the New York Liberty, but there should be much more movement as other teams gear up to take down the defending champions.
GO DEEPER
WNBA free-agency predictions: Kelsey Plum to the Storm, Satou Sabally to the Liberty
(Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; photos of Jewell Loyd, Breanna Stewart and Alyssa Thomas: Barry Gossage / Getty Images, David Berding / Getty Images)
The WNBA free agency period has been heating up with several big-name players making moves to new teams. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key signings and analyze what they mean for the upcoming season.
1. Satou Sabally – The Dallas Wings forward has signed with the Los Angeles Sparks. Sabally, who was the second overall pick in the 2020 draft, brings a versatile skill set to the Sparks and should provide a boost to their frontcourt. With Sabally joining forces with Nneka Ogwumike and Kristi Toliver, the Sparks are shaping up to be a formidable contender in the Western Conference.
2. Brittney Griner – The Phoenix Mercury center has re-signed with the team on a multi-year deal. Griner, a seven-time All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, is a dominant force in the paint and a key piece for the Mercury. With Griner back in the fold, the Mercury will look to make a deep playoff run in the upcoming season.
3. Kelsey Plum – The Las Vegas Aces guard has signed with the New York Liberty. Plum, who missed the 2020 season due to injury, is a talented scorer and playmaker who should provide a spark to the Liberty’s backcourt. With Plum teaming up with Sabrina Ionescu, the Liberty have a dynamic and exciting backcourt duo that could make some noise in the Eastern Conference.
Overall, these free agency signings have the potential to shake up the league and create some exciting matchups in the upcoming season. It will be interesting to see how these players mesh with their new teams and how they impact the playoff race. Stay tuned for more updates as the WNBA offseason continues to unfold.
The website for the US Agency for International Development, or USAid, appeared to be offline on Saturday, as the Trump administration moves to put the free-standing agency, and its current $42.8bn budget for global humanitarian operations, under state department control.
A message stating that the “server IP address could not be found” appeared when attempts were made to access the website on Saturday.
Two sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters on Friday that the Trump administration was moving to strip USAid of its independence as a government agency and put it under state department control.
The apparent failure of the website comes after plaques embossed with the agency’s official seal were removed on Friday, according to Reuters, a sign that the merger into the state department was in the works.
The move comes as the Trump administration has vowed to overhaul the distribution of foreign aid, saying last week it was freezing foreign aid while conducting a review to ensure that assistance worldwide is aligned with Trump’s “America First” foreign policies.
Current and former USAid officials said this week that a purge of senior staff appeared designed to silence any dissent and that bringing the agency under the state department would be a “seismic shift”.
“This moves the United States government to a place where the humanitarian voice will not be in high-level policy discussions,” the official said.
In an opinion column in the Wall Street Journal, the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio – who would assume oversight over USAid if it were or had been placed under the state department – outlined a new US diplomatic focus on the western hemisphere.
Rubio said he would make his first trip as the nation’s most senior diplomat to El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama and the Dominican Republic.
“These nations were neglected by past administrations that prioritized the global over the local and pursued policies that accelerated China’s economic development, often at our neighbors’ expense,” Rubio wrote.
Reuters reported that the White House was exploring legal authority that Trump could use to issue an executive order to end USAid’s independence and that he could sign such a directive as soon as Friday night or Saturday.
“Watch USAID tonight,” Chris Murphy, a Democratic senator and member of the Senate foreign relations committee, said in a post on X on Friday evening.
Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, citing a “rumor” that Trump planned to dissolve USAid as an independent agency, said in an X post that such a move would be “illegal and against our national interests”.
But it is unclear whether the president has the legal authority to bypass Congress and order USAid’s merger into the state department.
If placed under the state department, USAid could become a more explicit armature of foreign policy goals than it has been as the world’s largest single donor of life-saving humanitarian operations.
USAid has in the past been able to assist countries with whom the United States has no diplomatic relations, including Iran. A source at the agency told Reuters that the non-alignment with the US diplomatic mission had helped build bridges that might not have come to be under purely political objectives.
Perhaps signaling the new administration’s plan to fold the agency under the state department, Trump has not nominated a person to run USAid.
The costs of a freeze on US foreign aid grants is already being felt. Field hospitals in Thai refugee camps, landmine clearance in war zones, and drugs to treat millions suffering from diseases such as HIV are among the programs facing defunding.
In fiscal year 2023, the United States disbursed $72bn of assistance worldwide on everything from women’s health in conflict zones to access to clean water, HIV/Aids treatments, energy security and anti-corruption work. It provided 42% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations in 2024.
Following Trump’s executive order last week, the state department issued worldwide stop-work directives, effectively freezing all foreign aid with the exception of emergency food assistance in a move that experts warned risked killing people.
Rubio earlier this week issued an additional waiver for “life-saving humanitarian assistance” while Washington undertakes the 90-day review.
As the Trump administration continues to make changes to the structure of government agencies, the USAid website has gone offline as President Trump moves to put the agency under the State Department. This decision has raised concerns about the future of USAid’s independence and effectiveness in providing aid to countries in need.
Many are questioning the motives behind this move and what it means for the future of USAid’s work. Critics worry that placing USAid under the State Department could politicize the agency’s humanitarian efforts and diminish its impact on the ground.
As the website remains offline, many are left wondering about the fate of USAid and how this decision will ultimately impact those who rely on its assistance. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
The website for the U.S. Agency for International Development went dark Saturday afternoon as lawmakers and aid workers, already reeling over the recent freezes to foreign assistance and the suspension of senior officials, braced for the possibility that the agency might be shut down.
A slimmed-down page for U.S.A.I.D. appeared on the State Department’s website Saturday afternoon, suggesting that the agency’s activities — which are currently severely limited — had been brought under the State Department’s umbrella.
Democratic lawmakers and aid workers have been gripped since Friday by reports that President Trump was planning to issue an executive order dismantling the aid agency and moving its work to the State Department.
Mr. Trump has made no secret of his disdain for the scope of American foreign aid, arguing that sending taxpayer dollars overseas runs counter to his America first agenda.
By Saturday, lawmakers had received word that at least some of the U.S.A.I.D. signs at the agency’s headquarters in downtown Washington had come down, and rumors were circling that mission directors around the world were being called back to the United States. Those reports could not be independently verified.
Two U.S.A.I.D. employees, who work in the Washington headquarters and spoke on condition of anonymity because of an order barring employees from discussing any changes to the agency, said that they were working under an atmosphere of fear and chaos, and that half of the agency’s work force had been eliminated in the last week.
People familiar with the changes said that Pete Marocco, a State Department official who held multiple roles in the first Trump administration, appeared to be overseeing the gutting of the U.S.A.I.D. program.
Three other U.S.A.I.D. workers, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that Gemini, an A.I. program, had been installed on their email accounts, leading to fears that deputies of Elon Musk, whom Mr. Trump tasked to run a new cost-cutting group known as the Department of Government Efficiency, were trying to surveil their activities.
State Department officials did not answer inquiries seeking to clarify the purpose of the moves, which lawmakers and aid workers said could be anything from a restructuring to an effort to significantly downsize, if not eliminate, most U.S. foreign aid programs.
But Democratic lawmakers said they feared a potentially bleak endgame for the aid agency.
“All the signals of how the senior staff have been put on administrative leave, many of the field staff and headquarters staff have been put on a gag order,” Senator Chris Coons, Democrat of Delaware, who sits on the Senate panels on foreign relations and appropriations, said Saturday afternoon in an interview.
“It seems more like the early stages of shutting down than it does of reviewing it or merely retitling it,” he added.
U.S.A.I.D. is the government’s lead agency for humanitarian aid and development assistance. Since it was established in 1961, it has received foreign policy guidance from the State Department, but otherwise functioned as an independent entity.
Foreign assistance distributed by the agency, which supports health services, disaster relief, anti-poverty efforts and a range of other programs, makes up less than 1 percent of the government budget.
In January, the Trump administration ordered a freeze to nearly all foreign aid programs and later issued a waiver to allow programs that administer lifesaving humanitarian aid to keep functioning.
The changes to U.S.A.I.D.’s structure that staff and advocates are fearing are presenting a further complication to groups that were already scrambling to figure out how to keep programs afloat during the funding freeze.
Lawmakers have argued Mr. Trump cannot unilaterally shutter the agency legally, as it was created by Congress and receives specific appropriations. The federal government, including U.S.A.I.D., is currently funded through March 14.
“Trump isn’t satisfied just to close programs and fire staff. He is now planning to ELIMINATE THE ENTIRE AGENCY. Maybe this weekend,” Senator Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut, wrote on social media on Saturday. “That would be illegal. He cannot unilaterally close a federal agency. Another assault on the Constitution.”
Lawmakers have also warned that if U.S.A.I.D.’s operations are scaled back indefinitely, it will enable China, Russia, Iran and other U.S. adversaries to gain strategic footholds overseas that would damage U.S. security in the long term.
“Eliminating USAID — which prevents famines, counters extremism, and creates more markets for U.S. exports — would make the world a more dangerous place for Americans and be a gift to China and Russia,” Senator Amy Klobuchar, Democrat of Minnesota, said in a social media post on Saturday.
Sheera Frenkel, Nicholas Nehamas, Edward Wong and Michael Crowley contributed reporting.
As the future of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) hangs in the balance, Democratic lawmakers are warning that the end may be near for the crucial aid agency.
In a recent statement, members of Congress expressed their concerns over proposed budget cuts and restructuring plans that could severely hamper USAID’s ability to provide vital assistance to countries in need. The agency, which has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign aid efforts for decades, plays a crucial role in promoting development, democracy, and stability around the world.
Lawmakers are calling on the Biden administration to prioritize funding for USAID and ensure that it remains a key player in U.S. foreign policy. They argue that cutting or dismantling the agency would not only harm vulnerable populations in developing countries, but also undermine America’s standing as a global leader.
As the debate over the future of USAID continues, it is clear that the stakes are high. The fate of millions of people who rely on U.S. assistance hangs in the balance, and Democratic lawmakers are urging the administration to take action before it’s too late. The end may be near for USAID, but with the right support and funding, the agency can continue to make a positive impact around the world.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Rohit Chopra, has been waiting for a phone call, letter, email, text — anything, really — from the Trump administration that might say if he’s getting fired.
After all, Chopra is a Biden administration appointee. He’s an ally of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., one of President Donald Trump’s favorite targets. Chopra has already packed up his office a few blocks from the White House. His picture no longer hangs in the lobby.
But as of Wednesday, Chopra remains one of the more important regulators from the Biden administration who’s still on the job as Trump cleans house. That’s according to a person familiar with Chopra’s situation who insisted on anonymity to describe his status. Of course, it was Trump who during his first term picked Chopra to be a Democrat on the Federal Trade Commission.
For a president who took office with aggressive plans to reshape Washington, Trump seems not to have fully communicated what he wants from Chopra’s agency. Under his leadership, the bureau has tackled junk fees, limited overdraft penalties and removed medical debt from people’s credit ratings. His continued presence on the job may speak to how Trump’s desire to move quickly in taking control of the government can lead to some oversights, but also to the challenge of fully merging Trump’s populism with his pro-business calls to cut regulations.
Allison Preiss, a spokesperson for the CFPB, declined to comment on Chopra’s job status. White House officials did not respond to questions about his status.
As a candidate, Trump pledged to cap the interest charged on credit card debt and the bureau has privately done work on that issue should the president wish to implement his promise.
“While working Americans catch up, we’re going to put a temporary cap on credit card interest rates,” Trump said at a September rally. “We’re going to cap it at around 10%. We can’t let them make 25 and 30%.”
Under the law, Chopra serves a five-year term, which means he could stay on as the CFPB director. But he has publicly stated that he would leave his post if the president asked.
The CFPB under Chopra has courted controversy with major banks and other companies who view its actions as being too aggressive. JPMorganChase Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon said at an American Bankers Association conference that it was time to fight back against regulators, saying of Chopra, according to Yahoo News, “Rohit is a very smart guy who has one major flaw, which I told him personally, which is that you use your brains to justify what you already think.”
Trump has made easing government regulations one of his cornerstones for growth, meaning that he might need to choose between his vows to companies and his stated commitment to easing costs for working families.
The CFPB has several pending rules pertaining to restrictions on data brokers selling personal information such as Social Security numbers and phone numbers. It’s also seeking to ban contracts that could cause someone to lose access to financial services for making political statements. The CFPB, meanwhile, is considering legal action against Meta, Mark Zuckerberg’s company disclosed. It also in December published an order to supervise Google Payment Corp. as more financial transactions are going through people’s phones.
As the head of a federal agency for consumers packs up his office, speculation looms over whether President Trump will fire him. With tensions running high in Washington, many are keeping a close eye on the situation to see what the future holds for the agency and its leadership. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story. #federalagency #consumerprotection #trumpadministration
