Trump administration has announced a significant workforce reduction at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), dismissing approximately 2,000 employees and placing thousands more on administrative leave.
According to an internal email from USAID’s Office of the Administrator, nearly 1,600 positions in the United States will be permanently eliminated under a “reduction in force” directive.
The move follows a protracted legal battle after President Donald Trump initially sought to fire thousands of USAID workers but faced judicial obstacles.
A federal judge temporarily halted the dismissals but lifted the suspension last Friday, allowing the administration to proceed.
“As of 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 23, 2025, all USAID direct-hire personnel, except those designated for mission-critical functions, core leadership, or specially designated programs, will be placed on administrative leave globally,” read the notice sent to employees.
The notice did not specify the number of staff deemed essential and exempt from the mass layoffs.
However, USAID Deputy Administrator Pete Marocco, appointed by Trump to oversee the agency, stated that about 600 employees in the U.S. would remain to facilitate the repatriation of overseas staff and their families.
USAID has long been a central instrument of U.S. foreign assistance, distributing billions of dollars in aid globally.
The agency’s restructuring is being led by the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.
The department has prioritized cost-cutting measures across federal agencies, with USAID being a primary target.
Critics argue that the move weakens America’s diplomatic influence, as USAID has historically played a role in humanitarian aid, economic development, and international disaster relief.
Supporters of the downsizing, however, contend that the agency has been bloated and inefficient, consuming vast resources with limited impact.