The Trump administration has announced the elimination of 2,000 positions at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and placed nearly all of its overseas staff on administrative leave.
The decision follows a ruling from US District Judge Carl Nichols, who dismissed a lawsuit challenging the cuts and allowed the administration to proceed with removing thousands of USAID employees both in the US and abroad.
All USAID direct-hire personnel, except for those responsible for mission-critical functions and key leadership roles, will be placed on leave. Notices sent to USAID staff, which were viewed by The Associated Press, confirmed the global scope of the directive. Additionally, the agency will cut approximately 2,000 US-based jobs, significantly reducing its workforce.
A Significant Blow to USAID Operations
This move intensifies the administration’s ongoing effort to downsize and restructure USAID, a federal agency that plays a key role in providing international development assistance. The cuts come just a few weeks after President Trump signed an executive order targeting USAID funding. In January, USAID Inspector General Paul Martin was dismissed after releasing a report that criticized the proposed cuts to the agency’s programs.
The dismantling of USAID has already led to the closure of the agency's Washington headquarters and the suspension of several development programs worldwide. Critics, including President Trump and prominent figures like Elon Musk, argue that the agency’s operations are wasteful and promote a liberal political agenda.
Legal Challenges and Criticism
The administration’s actions have prompted legal challenges, with unions filing a broad lawsuit on behalf of USAID employees. The suit claims that the cuts have stalled necessary medical evacuations for staffers, left some contractors without emergency communications, and failed to provide adequate support for employees stranded in countries like Congo amid political violence. The lawsuit also contends that dismantling an agency like USAID requires congressional approval.
The recent ruling by Judge Nichols cleared the way for the administration to proceed with its plan, despite these ongoing challenges. However, legal representatives for USAID staffers argue that the actions are unconstitutional and harmful to US foreign relations and humanitarian efforts.
A Drastic Reduction in Workforce
According to current and former USAID officials, the administration's plan will leave fewer than 300 employees working within the agency, down from the current 8,000 direct hires and contractors. The remaining staffers will focus on a limited number of life-saving programs that the administration has opted to continue. The remaining staff, along with locally hired international employees, will be tasked with managing these critical programs.
In an effort to expedite the transition, the administration gave nearly all overseas staff 30 days to return to the US, with travel and moving costs covered by the government. Employees who choose to stay abroad beyond that time frame, unless granted a specific hardship waiver, will be required to cover their own expenses.
This significant downsizing of USAID has raised concerns about the future of US foreign aid and development efforts, with critics warning that these cuts will have long-lasting impacts on global humanitarian programs.
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