The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is set to place thousands of employees on leave starting Friday night, as part of sweeping budget cuts initiated by the Trump administration.
A statement on the agency’s website confirmed that all “direct-hire personnel”—except those involved in mission-critical functions, core leadership, and designated programs—will be affected. Employees were notified of their status by Thursday afternoon.
Trump Administration’s Restructuring Plans
Since returning to office last month, President Donald Trump has taken aggressive steps to realign U.S. foreign aid with his policy priorities. USAID, a government body that delivers humanitarian assistance to over 100 countries, has been a target of the administration’s cost-cutting measures.
The move comes after the White House accused USAID of inefficiency and wasteful spending, citing examples such as a $1.5 million grant to an LGBTQ organization in Serbia and a $2.5 million electric vehicle project in Vietnam.
Elon Musk, through his unofficial Department of Government Efficiency, has also been vocal about the agency’s downsizing, calling USAID “beyond repair” and suggesting it should be shut down entirely.
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Concerns Over Impact on Global Aid Programs
Critics argue that the sudden restructuring could have dire consequences for vulnerable populations. USAID’s programs support global health initiatives, humanitarian crises, and conflict zones.
Among the countries already affected is Haiti, where the U.S. initially froze $13.3 million in aid, before later issuing a waiver for $40.7 million to support the national police and a UN-backed security mission.
In Nigeria, HIV patients who rely on USAID-funded free antiretroviral drugs fear their supply might be cut off.
“I am really scared about what the future holds,” one patient told the BBC. “These free drugs are important for me and most of us. If the funding stops, we will be in serious trouble.”
Political Backlash and Uncertain Future
The decision to restructure USAID has sparked outrage among Democratic lawmakers, who argue that the changes are illegal and unconstitutional.
New Jersey Senator Andy Kim, a former USAID staffer, warned that the move would weaken America’s global influence and national security.
“USAID is a bipartisan foreign policy tool that plays a crucial role in keeping America safe. Gutting it is a reckless decision,” Kim said in a social media post.
While Trump’s top diplomat, Marco Rubio, has been appointed acting head of USAID, fully shutting down the agency would require an act of Congress.
For now, thousands of USAID employees remain in limbo, placed on paid administrative leave and instructed to stay available via phone and email—but barred from entering their workplaces.
With ongoing uncertainty surrounding foreign aid policies, the fate of USAID remains a subject of intense political and humanitarian debate.
source: BBCNEWS
