Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes – "Deadly Effects of USAID Cuts Are Already Happening"

Release Date: February 28, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, host Sam Simon engages in a critical conversation with Jeremy Kneindyk, President of Refugees International and a former top official at USAID during both the Obama and Biden administrations. The discussion delves into the severe budget cuts imposed on USAID, their immediate and far-reaching consequences, and the political maneuvers surrounding these decisions.

Background on USAID Cuts

Legal Challenges and Government Actions

The episode opens with Sam Simon introducing Jeremy Kneindyk, highlighting Jeremy's role in combating misinformation surrounding USAID's recent budget cuts. Jeremy explains that the Trump administration initiated these cuts by halting reimbursements to nonprofit organizations and government contractors collaborating with USAID. This cessation affects payments for costs lawfully incurred during the Obama and Biden administrations.

Jeremy Kneindyk [02:52]: "When the Trump administration came in, they just turned that off and stopped paying those costs. So they began basically stiffing the contractors, which is a rich tradition for both Elon and Donald Trump."

The immediate financial impact of these cuts is substantial, with approximately $2 billion withheld, threatening the solvency of numerous organizations dependent on USAID funding.

Impact on Humanitarian Programs

Abolishing Life-Saving Initiatives

The conversation shifts to the tangible effects of the cuts on various humanitarian programs. Jeremy provides specific examples of programs that have been abruptly canceled:

1. Search and Rescue Teams:

   • Contracts with specialized teams from Fairfax County and LA County, essential for disaster response, were terminated. These teams are pivotal in deploying immediate aid during emergencies, such as earthquakes.

   Jeremy Kneindyk [07:45]: "The entire unit that deploys those teams has now been pushed out of the agency. And yesterday they canceled the contract with the LA county team."

2. Nutritional Programs:

   • The contract for "Ready to Use Therapeutic Food" (Plumpy Nut), a critical intervention for children suffering from severe malnutrition, was canceled. Plumpy Nut has revolutionized malnutrition treatment by allowing outpatient recovery.

   Jeremy Kneindyk [07:45]: "It can basically bring children back to life. It is highly nutritious and highly adapted to the nutritional needs of children suffering from severe malnutrition."

3. Water and Health Services in Conflict Zones:

   • In Syria, programs providing clean water, feeding services, and healthcare to displaced populations have been halted. This disruption jeopardizes the lives of millions in conflict zones.

   Jeremy Kneindyk [11:29]: "All of these are definitionally life-saving programs. All of these are things that like very literally keep hundreds of thousands, even millions of people alive day in, day out. And that is what's being pulled down."

4. Health Clinics in Darfur:

   • USAID's funding supports one of the largest networks of NGO clinics in Darfur, Sudan, an area currently engulfed in famine and genocide amid civil war. The cancellation of these grants removes the primary lifeline for the affected population.

Political Context and Reactions

Administration’s Stance and Judicial Involvement

Jeremy discusses the administration's public assurances that life-saving programs would remain unaffected, including PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). Despite these assurances, no waivers have been honored, leading to the abrupt cancellation of programs previously deemed exempt.

Jeremy Kneindyk [07:45]: "We have not, but they had at least given the waivers. I have yet to talk to an organization in the last 24 hours that has not had a waived program now canceled."

The episode highlights Supreme Court involvement, where Chief Justice John Roberts expressed the need for clarity regarding the administration's handling of these contracts. The court has requested arguments by Friday, indicating potential for future legal battles.

Jeremy Kneindyk [05:25]: "Justice Roberts basically said this is brand new to us. We need to figure out what's going on."

Congressional Response and Lack Thereof

While some Republican members of Congress have voiced concerns, the overall response has been minimal. Jeremy emphasizes the need for Congress to assert its authority to prevent further erosion of USAID's capabilities.

Jeremy Kneindyk [16:35]: "There have been a number of Republican members of Congress who have weighed in about protecting specific programs... But it's just Jeff Moran being like, oh, the food that's going to waste. It's like."

Precedent for Federal Government Actions

Jeremy warns that the USAID cuts serve as a template for similar actions across other federal agencies, including the Department of Defense. The removal of legal and ethical oversight at USAID is indicative of a broader strategy to diminish governmental accountability.

Jeremy Kneindyk [21:14]: "The first thing they did at USAID was push out a bunch of the lawyers, including the ethics lawyers. We're now seeing that they're now going, they're doing the same thing at DoD. They're pushing out the JAGs."

Private Philanthropy vs. Government Funding

Insufficiency of Private Donations

When questioned about whether private philanthropy can compensate for the government’s withdrawal, Jeremy is unequivocal: private entities lack the financial capacity to fill the substantial funding gap left by USAID.

Jeremy Kneindyk [13:47]: "The short answer is no, they can't fill that gap. The US is the largest donor in the world... if Elon and Jeff Bezos and some of these other fantastic decided to do what Bill Gates has done, maybe they could do some of that. But no, there's no way for other donors to fill in a gap like this."

He underscores that even the largest philanthropic organizations, such as the Gates Foundation, cannot match the scale of USAID's annual $40 billion budget.

Consequences and Urgency

Immediate Humanitarian Crisis

The cancellation of USAID programs has led to immediate and dire consequences for vulnerable populations worldwide. Jeremy conveys the gravity of the situation by detailing how these cuts have already resulted in loss of life and increased suffering due to disrupted healthcare and emergency services.

Jeremy Kneindyk [12:36]: "They are going to kill people. Yeah, people are already dying from the disruption to HIV treatment."

Long-Term Implications for Refugees

The impediment to mine clearance and infrastructure rebuilding in conflict zones like Syria hampers the return of refugees, exacerbating the burden on neighboring countries and prolonging humanitarian crises.

Jeremy Kneindyk [07:45]: "It's also going to make it harder for refugees to go home, which puts more burden on the surrounding countries that are still hosting refugees."

Potential for Social and Political Pressure to Reverse Cuts

Hope for Change Through Advocacy

Jeremy expresses hope that social and political pressures can influence the restoration of funding. He cites previous instances where political intervention has led to the reinstatement of critical programs, suggesting that sustained advocacy could yield similar results.

Jeremy Kneindyk [16:26]: "I hope social. I mean, political pressure, definitely. And we've seen some of that already. It's been very interesting to watch. Yeah, we've seen a bit. Not enough."

He emphasizes the importance of maintaining the core capacity and expertise of USAID to facilitate future rebuilding efforts once political winds shift.

Jeremy Kneindyk [16:54]: "The essential thing now is to preserve enough of the core capacity and expertise of what the US Government has built up at USAID... that it is not completely lost and that we have something to rebuild from again when there's an administration that's inclined to do so."

Broader Implications Beyond USAID

Establishing Dangerous Precedents

The dismantling of USAID's support structures and legal frameworks sets a concerning precedent for other federal agencies. Jeremy warns that if unchecked, this trend could lead to widespread impoundment and reduction of essential government functions across various sectors.

Jeremy Kneindyk [21:28]: "If they get away with it here, then they're establishing precedents that they're going to try to get away with elsewhere."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Jeremy urging listeners to remain vigilant and advocate against the ongoing cuts to USAID. He underscores the critical role USAID plays in global humanitarian efforts and the necessity of protecting its funding to prevent further loss of life and destabilization in vulnerable regions.

Sam Simon [22:32]: "Jeremy, you're a busy guy. I don't want to keep you too much longer. So thank you so much. Really appreciate it."

Key Takeaways:

• Severe Budget Cuts: USAID has faced abrupt budget cuts amounting to approximately $2 billion, disrupting numerous life-saving programs.

• Humanitarian Impact: The cessation of essential services in disaster response, healthcare, nutrition, and refugee support is already resulting in increased mortality and prolonged crises.

• Political Maneuvering: The administration is employing legal challenges and court appeals to justify the cuts, with minimal support from Congress.

• Insufficient Private Funding: Private philanthropy cannot bridge the substantial funding gap left by USAID's budget reductions.

• Urgent Need for Advocacy: Social and political pressures are crucial to reversing these cuts and preserving USAID's capacity for future humanitarian efforts.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeremy Kneindyk [02:52]: "When the Trump administration came in, they just turned that off and stopped paying those costs."

• Jeremy Kneindyk [07:45]: "It can basically bring children back to life. It is highly nutritious and highly adapted to the nutritional needs of children suffering from severe malnutrition."

• Jeremy Kneindyk [13:47]: "The short answer is no, they can't fill that gap."

• Jeremy Kneindyk [12:36]: "They are going to kill people. Yeah, people are already dying from the disruption to HIV treatment."

• Jeremy Kneindyk [21:14]: "If they get away with it here, then they're establishing precedents that they're going to try to get away with elsewhere."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights from the episode, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the devastating effects of USAID budget cuts and the urgent need for political and social intervention to mitigate these impacts.