The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a major reduction in the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), cutting 1,600 positions nationwide as part of a broader effort to scale back foreign aid programs.
According to an official statement issued on Sunday, all USAID personnel in the U.S.—except senior leadership and essential staff—will be placed on paid administrative leave.
The move follows a previous decision by the administration to halt foreign aid spending, which had already disrupted key global humanitarian efforts.
A notice sent to affected employees, reviewed by Reuters, stated: “I regret to inform you that you are affected by a Reduction in Force action.” It further confirmed that those impacted would be officially removed from federal service by April 24.
The downsizing is being led by the Department of Government Efficiency, headed by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, which has pushed for a restructuring of the agency.
USAID, a key pillar of U.S. “soft power,” provides disaster relief, global health support, and development assistance worldwide.
Two former senior USAID officials estimated that the decision would impact a majority of the agency’s 4,600 employees, including career civil servants and foreign service officers.
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“This administration and Secretary (of State Marco) Rubio are making a shortsighted decision by cutting into the expertise and crisis response capabilities of the U.S.,” said former senior USAID official Marcia Wong. “USAID experts are the first to respond to disease outbreaks and humanitarian crises.”
The White House has not issued a statement, but a federal judge ruled on Friday in favor of the administration, allowing it to proceed with placing thousands of USAID workers on leave. The ruling dealt a blow to government employee unions that had challenged the move in court.
The Trump administration has argued that the restructuring is necessary as part of a broader review of U.S. foreign assistance. Shortly after taking office on January 20, President Trump ordered a 90-day freeze on aid programs, suspending funding for initiatives such as famine relief and shelters for displaced persons.
While exceptions have been granted for security and counter-narcotics operations—totaling $5.3 billion—USAID programs have received exemptions worth less than $100 million, a fraction of the agency’s previous $40 billion annual budget.
