Majority of USAID Employees to Be Laid Off or Placed on Leave

Majority of USAID Employees to Be Laid Off or Placed on Leave

By Fly Cable News

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced that most of its employees will either be placed on leave or dismissed by midnight on Sunday as the Trump administration moves forward with plans to cut government spending.

According to a notice on USAID’s website, approximately 1,600 U.S.-based employees will be let go as part of a “reduction-in-force” measure. Meanwhile, all other staff directly hired by the agency worldwide will be placed on administrative leave, except those handling “mission-critical functions, core leadership, or specially designated programs.”

The decision aligns with President Donald Trump’s broader effort to scale down USAID, an organization with over 10,000 employees that oversees various humanitarian and development initiatives globally.

Earlier this month, USAID announced plans to place all staff on administrative leave, a directive that faced legal challenges. However, on Friday, a federal judge lifted an order that had temporarily halted the administration’s plans.

The agency stated that employees expected to continue working would be notified by 5:00 p.m. (2200 GMT) on Sunday. USAID also confirmed that it would cover return travel expenses for overseas staff and provide further details in the coming week regarding the retrieval of personal items and the return of government-issued devices.

Trump and his allies, including billionaire Elon Musk, have accused USAID of widespread “fraud,” though they have provided little evidence to support the claims.

With a budget exceeding $40 billion, USAID funds programs ranging from governance initiatives to life-saving food aid. Despite facing criticism over administrative costs and effectiveness, the agency has long been regarded as a key instrument of U.S. global influence.