Trump Administration Cuts USAID Workforce, Places Thousands on Leave

The Trump administration has moved forward with sweeping staff reductions at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), placing over 4,200 employees on administrative leave from midnight Sunday and terminating at least 1,600 more.

The layoffs come weeks after a legal challenge temporarily blocked Trump’s initial effort to slash USAID’s workforce. However, a federal judge ruled on Friday that the pause would not be permanent, allowing the cuts to proceed.

Founded in 1961, USAID previously employed around 10,000 staff before the administration’s cost-cutting measures took effect.

Trump Administration Moves Forward with USAID Staff Cuts Amid Legal Challenges

The Trump administration has begun placing over 4,200 USAID employees on administrative leave while laying off an additional 1,600 staff, amounting to more than half of the agency’s workforce.

A notice sent to employees on Sunday stated that only “designated personnel” responsible for critical functions or leadership roles would be exempt. While the total number of retained staff remains unclear, USAID had previously deemed 611 employees essential. The agency also plans to fund voluntary return travel for overseas staff.

The staff reductions follow a ruling by Judge Carl Nichols in Washington, D.C., on Friday, allowing the administration to proceed with its plans. Another federal judge recently criticized the administration for failing to comply with an order requiring continued funding for foreign aid programs approved by Congress.

It remains uncertain whether those placed on leave will be rehired or if their positions will be permanently eliminated. The cuts are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to shrink the federal workforce, a campaign led by billionaire adviser Elon Musk, who recently asked bureaucrats to list their accomplishments from the past week.

Trump Declares End of USAID, Plans to Replace Agency with Border Patrol

Speaking at a conservative convention near Washington, D.C., on Saturday, former President Donald Trump announced the effective end of USAID, calling it a “left-wing scam.” He confirmed that the agency’s name had been removed from its headquarters, which will now house agents from Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

CBP has signed an agreement to occupy approximately 390,000 square feet in the USAID tower, according to a spokesperson. The move aligns with Trump and adviser Elon Musk’s broader push to reduce overseas spending, with USAID becoming a primary target for budget cuts.

The cuts have already disrupted the global aid system, freezing hundreds of programs since Trump announced his plans in January. As the largest provider of humanitarian aid worldwide, the U.S. has operations in over 60 countries, with USAID playing a key role.

Former USAID chief Gayle Smith criticized the move, warning, “When you pull all of that out, you send some very dangerous messages. The U.S. is signaling that we don’t frankly care whether people live or die and that we’re not a reliable partner.”

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