In a dramatic move, the Trump administration on Sunday announced it was terminating at least 1,600 US-based employees of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) while placing thousands more on administrative leave. The decision marks one of the most significant steps taken by President Donald Trump and his close ally Elon Musk to shrink the federal government.
According to notices sent to USAID employees, the layoffs and administrative leave orders took effect as of 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 23, 2025. The notices further stated that all USAID direct hire personnel, except for those handling mission-critical functions, core leadership, or specially designated programs, would be placed on leave globally.
“Concurrently, USAID is beginning to implement a reduction-in-force that will affect approximately 2,000 USAID personnel with duty stations in the United States,” read a report from CBS, a US affiliate of the BBC. An estimated 4,200 workers will be placed on leave while the administration proceeds with the planned restructuring.
The USAID deputy administrator, Trump appointee Pete Marocco, indicated that about 600 mostly US-based staffers would remain in their positions, primarily to oversee the repatriation of agency employees and their families abroad. However, congressional Democrats have challenged the legality of the administration’s move, arguing that shutting down a government agency without legislative approval would be unconstitutional.
During a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday, Trump branded USAID a “left-wing scam” and announced that its former office space would be reassigned to agents from Customs and Border Protection. This followed a federal judge’s ruling that permitted Trump to proceed with the staff reductions, rejecting appeals to keep the temporary stay on dismissals in place.
Trump and Musk have been vocal critics of USAID, alleging wasteful spending without providing evidence. Their administration has already canceled millions of dollars in aid, including $21 million designated for voter turnout initiatives in India, sparking widespread controversy. Hard-right Republicans and libertarians have long questioned the agency’s necessity, a sentiment that has gained momentum since Trump’s return to office.
USAID, established over six decades ago, has played a crucial role in providing humanitarian and development assistance worldwide, primarily through funding non-governmental organizations, foreign governments, and international agencies. The sudden workforce reductions have led to the freezing of hundreds of programs across multiple countries, significantly disrupting the global aid system and decades of US foreign policy.
Experts have warned that dismantling USAID could have dire consequences, potentially placing millions of people at greater risk. Additionally, employees argue that cutting off overseas staff from government communication and medical-diplomatic resources may endanger their safety, especially those working in conflict zones.
The administrative decisions could also have financial repercussions for affected workers. Reports indicate that the generic nature of notification letters, which omit names and specific roles, may complicate efforts for dismissed employees to claim unemployment benefits.
As the administration moves forward with its agenda, the fate of USAID and its global mission remains uncertain, raising serious concerns about the future of US humanitarian assistance and development efforts.
