The Trump administration has announced that starting midnight on Sunday, most employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will be put back on administrative leave. This follows a contentious legal battle regarding the reduction of staff within the agency. Approximately 2,000 additional employees are expected to be terminated as part of a "reduction in force" effort, according to an email obtained from the Office of the Administrator. The recent court ruling by Judge Carl Nichols permits these layoffs, which comes after President Trump’s initiative to significantly reduce the workforce at USAID faced legal roadblocks.
Most USAID Employees Face Administrative Leave Amid Trump Administration Cuts
Most USAID Employees Face Administrative Leave Amid Trump Administration Cuts
As the Trump administration reinstates sweeping cuts, nearly all USAID workers will be placed on leave along with significant layoffs.
Penned attempts to eliminate a considerable number of employees had initially been halted by a federal judge, but Friday's ruling affirmed the administration's ability to proceed without continual legal interference. Notably, only "designated personnel" linked to essential functions or leadership roles will remain active, although the number of such personnel is unspecified. These latest actions correspond with the broader agenda of the Trump administration to decrease government size and spending, spearheaded by Musk, an influential advisor known for his controversial views on multiple issues, including foreign aid.
Trump publicly condemned USAID, labeling it a "left-wing scam" at a recent conservative forum. Musk further intensified the scrutiny by disparaging the agency, referring to it as a "criminal organization," without substantiating these claims. With USAID employing around 10,000 individuals—two-thirds of whom work internationally—the ramifications of these cuts could be profound, impacting global health and international aid programs significantly. The branch is reportedly preparing for the voluntary return of overseas employees amid these operational changes, leaving many worried about the future of American foreign assistance.
Trump publicly condemned USAID, labeling it a "left-wing scam" at a recent conservative forum. Musk further intensified the scrutiny by disparaging the agency, referring to it as a "criminal organization," without substantiating these claims. With USAID employing around 10,000 individuals—two-thirds of whom work internationally—the ramifications of these cuts could be profound, impacting global health and international aid programs significantly. The branch is reportedly preparing for the voluntary return of overseas employees amid these operational changes, leaving many worried about the future of American foreign assistance.
