The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced that nearly all direct hire employees worldwide will be placed on administrative leave this week, following directives from the Trump administration.
The move, revealed Tuesday night on USAID’s website, comes after days of sharp criticism from President Donald Trump and his administration.
“Beginning just before midnight Friday, all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs,” the agency announced.
Employees who are expected to continue working will be notified by 3 p.m. on Thursday, while the government is also developing a plan to repatriate employees stationed abroad if their roles are deemed non-essential.
The announcement concluded with a brief note: “Thank you for your service.”
The decision affects thousands of USAID staff. The agency, which delivers billions of dollars in foreign aid to over 100 countries, has a workforce of more than 10,000, including civil and foreign service employees and personal services contractors. According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), about two-thirds of USAID’s personnel are based overseas.
The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), which represents 1,800 foreign service officers, has denounced the move, calling it an attempt to “dismantle” USAID.
Trump Administration’s Foreign Aid Freeze and USAID Takeover
On his first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order freezing all foreign aid for 90 days, part of his broader effort to overhaul U.S. government operations. On Monday, USAID’s headquarters were abruptly closed, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he was taking control of the agency, appointing State Department official Pete Marocco to oversee its operations.
The decision has sparked widespread backlash from Democratic lawmakers, who argue the move is illegal, as USAID was established by Congress. Some Republican leaders have also raised concerns.
USAID was created in 1961 under President John F. Kennedy following the passage of the Foreign Assistance Act. The agency was later established as an independent entity under the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998.
A recent report by the Congressional Research Service states that Trump does not have the authority to abolish USAID without congressional approval.
In fiscal year 2023, USAID managed over $40 billion in appropriations for 130 countries, with Ukraine, Somalia, Ethiopia, Jordan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo among the largest recipients.
Experts warn that dismantling USAID would weaken U.S. influence in Africa and South America, allowing Russia and China to expand their global reach.
Billionaire Elon Musk, who a White House official claims is serving as a special government employee, fueled controversy by suggesting the Trump administration is moving to eliminate USAID entirely.
“We spent the weekend feeding USAID into the wood chipper,” Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter), adding that he and Trump were “shutting down USAID.”
While the full implications of the move remain unclear, the sudden policy shift marks a significant shake-up in U.S. foreign aid operations and has raised concerns about America’s global humanitarian role moving forward.
