Humanity United calls on the Trump Administration to reestablish U.S. Department of State staff levels and funding to support programs focused on preventing the worst forms of exploitation and conflict.
Humanity United calls on the Trump Administration to reestablish U.S. Department of State staff levels and funding to support the strengthening of democracy and workers’ rights, implement the U.S. government’s global anti-trafficking mandate, and integrate peacebuilding and conflict prevention throughout foreign assistance and diplomatic activities.
The U.S. Department of State’s recent reductions in force and proposed reorganization are two alarming steps toward dismantling the U.S. government’s institutions focused on preventing the worst forms of exploitation and conflict. Combined with the termination of thousands of foreign assistance grants and the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. government will be left with insufficient capacity to effectively manage these challenging issues at a moment where global conflict continues, forced labor and human trafficking remain prevalent, and authoritarianism is on the rise. These drastic cuts and restructuring focused on offices that provided critical technical expertise and programming that bolstered U.S. global leadership in shared peace, prosperity, security, and protection of some of the most vulnerable people.
For years, the Bureau for Democracy, Rights and Labor (DRL) supported human rights defenders, civil society organizations working to strengthen democracy, independent journalists and media organizations, and global labor movements. The DRL also helped promote respect for human and labor rights in business operations. By significantly cutting DRL’s staff capacity, the Administration has made it virtually impossible to continue this work.
The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP) is Congressionally mandated by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000. J/TIP leads the preparation of the annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, provides grants to organizations that work to prevent trafficking and protect survivors, conducts important research, and partners with other governments in their efforts to respond to trafficking and forced labor. J/TIP also coordinates the U.S. government’s anti-trafficking efforts and survivor engagement. The drastic cuts to J/TIP staff greatly diminish its ability to fully implement its responsibilities. In addition, the Department has yet to publish the 2025 TIP Report, typically released in June, undermining both U.S. credibility and the work of advocates who rely on its findings and data.
The Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO) served a critical function of preventing and responding to global conflict by monitoring early warning signs, supporting peace agreement implementation, and documenting human rights abuses and atrocities. Without CSO, the State Department is losing significant expertise in peace agreement negotiation and implementation, rapid response capabilities to de-escalate and prevent conflicts, and an essential tool in implementing legislation such as: the Global Fragility Act; the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act; and the Women, Peace and Security Act.
Humanity United is deeply alarmed by these actions that have abandoned our global partners and significantly diminish U.S. leadership in preventing conflict and exploitation, promoting peace, and advancing democracy. Most immediately, we call on the Trump Administration to swiftly release the 2025 TIP Report. In the near to mid term, we urge the Administration to work with Congress through the State Department Reauthorization process to reestablish and fund these essential programs.