Thousands of employees at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) are set to be placed on leave starting Friday night, as announced by the agency. This decision will impact all direct-hire personnel, with exceptions made for those involved in mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs.
The specifics regarding which positions will be affected by this leave remain unclear, but USAID has stated that employees will be informed by Thursday afternoon. The move comes amid ongoing criticism from the Trump administration, which has accused USAID of mismanaging funds and has called for the agency to align more closely with the president’s policy priorities. Agency staff, along with Democratic lawmakers, have voiced strong opposition to these cuts, arguing that they pose a threat to lives and undermine national security.
The Trump administration’s earlier decision to freeze foreign assistance has already disrupted the global aid framework, impacting numerous countries. USAID, which provides humanitarian aid to over 100 nations, employs approximately 10,000 people worldwide, with two-thirds working overseas. The agency has an annual budget of around $40 billion, representing roughly 0.6% of federal spending.
In a recent statement, USAID indicated it would collaborate with the U.S. Department of State to arrange and pay for the return travel of personnel stationed abroad within 30 days. Employees who are exempt from the leave will be notified by 3:00 PM EDT on Thursday. However, it remains uncertain how the withdrawal of staff from active conflict zones will be managed.
The agency’s cuts are part of a broader strategy initiated by Trump, reportedly in coordination with Elon Musk’s unofficial Department of Government Efficiency. Among the countries facing aid reductions is Haiti, where the U.S. recently informed the United Nations of a $13.3 million freeze in assistance. However, a waiver was issued for $40.7 million in foreign aid designated for Haiti’s national police and a UN-backed international security support mission.
Critics of the administration’s approach argue that the proposed dismantling of USAID represents an illegitimate power grab by Musk, who has suggested that the agency should be entirely shut down. Many warn that such a move would have dire consequences for vulnerable populations globally. Earlier this week, an email was sent to USAID staff notifying them of their placement on paid administrative leave, instructing them to remain available via phone and email during business hours while prohibiting access to agency buildings.
The ramifications of these changes are already being felt, with individuals dependent on USAID’s support expressing anxiety over the future of essential services, such as free anti-retroviral drugs for HIV patients in Nigeria. Democrats have been particularly vocal in their criticism, labeling the administration’s efforts to overhaul the agency as "illegal" and "unconstitutional." They argue that USAID serves as a crucial tool in U.S. foreign policy, vital for maintaining national security in a precarious global landscape.
As the situation unfolds, the future of USAID remains uncertain, with calls for a more measured approach to international aid and development.