The Trump administration announced significant changes to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on Sunday, which will result in the elimination of approximately 1,600 jobs based in the United States. This move is part of a broader effort to restructure and reduce the agency’s scope, a decision that comes in the wake of a federal judge’s ruling allowing the administration to proceed with its plans despite opposition from government unions.
Effective at 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, all direct hire personnel at USAID will be placed on administrative leave, with exceptions made for essential staff involved in mission-critical functions and core leadership roles. The agency indicated that those affected by the job cuts would receive notifications on February 23, 2025, detailing their benefits and rights.
In addition to the domestic job cuts, USAID plans to offer a voluntary Agency-funded return travel program for overseas personnel, ensuring their safety and access to necessary resources until they can return home. The agency has committed to providing further information in the coming week regarding the retrieval of personal items and the return of government-issued devices.
This restructuring initiative follows the Trump administration’s earlier decision to place thousands of USAID employees on administrative leave and to shift the agency’s oversight to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. As part of this transition, some USAID office spaces have been closed, with the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently signing an agreement to occupy a former USAID office in Washington, D.C.
The impetus for these drastic changes appears to stem from criticism of USAID’s spending practices. Elon Musk, who has been involved in the administration’s "Department of Government Efficiency" project, reportedly received the green light from Trump to initiate the agency’s downsizing. Musk characterized USAID as fundamentally flawed, suggesting that it is beyond repair and needs to be dismantled.
Rubio has stated that while the U.S. will continue to provide foreign aid, the focus will shift to programs that align more closely with national interests. He emphasized the importance of identifying effective initiatives while eliminating those that do not serve the country’s strategic goals.
As the situation at USAID develops, the implications of these cuts and the restructuring of the agency will likely be closely monitored by both domestic and international observers, particularly those concerned with U.S. foreign aid policies and their impact on global relations.