The Trump administration has initiated a significant reduction of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) workforce, placing nearly the entire Washington, D.C., staff on leave. This action aligns with President Donald Trump’s directive to reassess U.S. foreign aid distribution and streamline government operations.
Approximately 1,400 USAID employees received notifications on Tuesday, following the placement of around 600 staff members on leave earlier. These measures were approved by Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s team and primarily affect civil and foreign service officers based in Washington, D.C.
Elon Musk, leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been instrumental in targeting USAID for funding cuts, aiming to reduce federal government size in line with the administration’s priorities. The administration is considering integrating USAID into the State Department to enhance efficiency.
Since the administration’s foreign aid review commenced on January 20, hundreds of USAID contractors have faced layoffs or furloughs. Stop-work orders from the State Department have disrupted aid operations, causing financial strain for contractors who typically front costs before billing the government.
These developments have sparked concern among humanitarian organizations and lawmakers regarding the future of U.S. foreign aid and its global impact. Critics argue that such actions could undermine international development efforts and diminish U.S. influence abroad.
