The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced a sweeping reduction of its workforce, with most employees set to be placed on administrative leave or dismissed by midnight on Sunday.
The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader strategy to slash government spending, a decision that has drawn both legal and political controversy.
According to an official notice on USAID’s website, approximately 1,600 employees based in the United States will be laid off as part of a “reduction-in-force” initiative.
The remaining staff directly hired by the agency across the globe will be placed on administrative leave, except for those involved in “mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs.”
The decision follows a series of legal battles surrounding the administration’s plans to restructure USAID. Earlier this month, the agency had initially ordered all employees to go on administrative leave, but the directive was temporarily halted by a federal court order.
However, on Friday, a judge lifted the injunction, paving the way for the layoffs to proceed.
In a statement released on Sunday, USAID confirmed that affected employees would receive official communication regarding their status by 5:00 p.m. (2200 GMT).
The agency also assured staff stationed overseas that their return travel expenses would be covered.
“In the coming week, we will provide details on how to retrieve personal items from the former USAID workspaces and return government-issued devices,” the statement read.
The layoffs and administrative leave orders mark a significant step in President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape USAID, which has long been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign aid. The agency, with an annual budget exceeding $40 billion, runs humanitarian and development programs across the world, focusing on governance, disaster relief, and food assistance.
Despite its critical role, USAID has faced scrutiny from Trump and his allies, including billionaire donor Elon Musk, who have claimed the agency is riddled with “fraud.” However, they have provided little substantive evidence to support the allegations.
Critics argue that the move to gut USAID undermines America’s global influence. The agency has historically been a major instrument of U.S. “soft power,” leveraging aid and development programs to strengthen diplomatic relations.
