The foundation’s website and systems are nonfunctional, staff members were placed on administrative leave, and all contracts and grants have been terminated except for one grant, wrote Greg Jacobs, the managing director of programs, in a post on LinkedIn. He said the foundation is “basically closed.”
The dismantling of this foundation has unfolded in recent weeks alongside efforts to close down the U.S. African Development Foundation, or USADF, and the U.S. Institute of Peace. U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Feb. 19, calling for their effective elimination, describing them as “unnecessary.”
The Trump administration then installed Peter Marocco, acting deputy administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, as acting board chair of IAF. Marocco then voted to appoint himself acting president and chief executive officer. The foundation’s president and CEO, Sara Aviel, was fired.
Eight Democratic members of Congress wrote to President Trump on Monday, calling the placement of Marocco as board chair “unlawful and unacceptable,” noting that any actions he takes, including terminating staff, are “illegitimate.” They said it’s required by law that the Senate confirms individuals appointed to the board.
Ward Brehm, president and CEO of the U.S. African Development Foundation, filed a lawsuit in federal district court against Marocco and the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. According to court documents filed Thursday, DOGE used a “virtually identical plan” to “terminate” IAF as it has used in dismantling USADF.
“We are alarmed that, given the lack of authority for Mr. Marocco to serve in such a capacity, Mr. Marocco has apparently directed the Department of the Treasury to terminate IAF and USADF contracts,” the eight Democratic members of Congress wrote to Trump on Monday.
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