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The State Department plans to reconstitute U.S.A.I.D. as the U.S. Agency for International Humanitarian Assistance and abolish its status as an independent agency, according to an internal planning memo reviewed by The Times. Because of the way U.S.A.I.D. was established, Congress would have approve changes the Trump administration makes to the agency.
If the planned changes take effect, the Trump administration intends to designate the leader of the renamed agency as the government’s special coordinator for international disaster assistance, the memo said.
Wherever U.S.A.I.D. ends up being housed, it is expected to go through a significant reorganization, according to people briefed on the administration’s plans, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss strategies still in development. At least some programs that focus on delivering lifesaving assistance, such as medicine, are likely to be preserved, as well as some programs that focus on national security, the people said. Most development assistance, however, has already been canceled.
Mr. Marocco’s email also noted that Joel Borkert, who has been serving as U.S.A.I.D.’s acting chief of staff, would assume the role permanently. Marcus Thornton would serve as his deputy.
Mr. Borkert served in the Army before holding various roles at the State Department under President Trump and President Joseph R. Biden Jr., including positions in offices focused on crisis management, peacekeeping and hostage operations.
Mr. Thornton, a diplomat, clashed with senior Biden administration officials over his anti-vaccine activism. He became prominent in conservative circles when he helped found Feds for Freedom, a group that fought mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations and supported Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation blueprint for overhauling the federal government.
Karoun Demirjian reported from Washington, and Mattathias Schwartz from New York. Edward Wong, Nicholas Nehamas and Apoorva Mandavilli contributed reporting.
