The Trump administration has announced a significant downsizing of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), placing nearly all employees on administrative leave worldwide and cutting approximately 1,600 jobs in the United States.
According to an internal email from the Office of the Administrator, the agency will undergo a “reduction in force” affecting thousands of staff members. The move follows President Donald Trump’s previous attempt to fire thousands of USAID employees, which was temporarily blocked by a federal judge. However, a ruling on Friday confirmed that the pause on these layoffs would not be permanent.
As per an official notice cited by the Associated Press (AP), all USAID direct-hire personnel—except those handling mission-critical functions, core leadership, and designated programs—will be placed on leave starting at 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 23, 2025. It remains unclear how many employees are considered essential.
The restructuring effort is being driven by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has sought to reduce USAID’s influence. The agency has long been regarded as a key instrument of U.S. foreign aid and diplomacy.
USAID Deputy Administrator Pete Marocco, appointed by Trump to oversee the transition, stated that around 600 U.S.-based employees will remain to manage travel arrangements for displaced staff and their families abroad, AP reported.
The layoffs and administrative leave orders mark a significant shift in U.S. foreign aid strategy, as the government moves to redefine USAID’s role and reach.
