Trump Moves to Downsize USAID, Puts Employees on Paid Leave
- International Affairs North America
Shreya Naskar- 0
- 2 minutes read
U.S. President Donald Trump has initiated a significant reduction in the workforce of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), placing all personnel at the agency on paid administrative leave while eliminating 1,600 positions in the United States. This move comes as part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at downsizing the foreign assistance agency. The agency, which plays a crucial role in providing foreign aid, development assistance, and disaster relief globally, announced the decision just before midnight on February 23rd through an official website update. Initial reports suggested that as many as 2,000 staff members could be affected, but the final number has now been revised to 1,600. Despite these cuts, USAID leaders and critical staffers working in various global offices have been excluded from the reduction. This suggests that while domestic operations are being downsized, the agency’s international presence and essential functions will remain intact.
The decision to slash USAID’s workforce in the U.S. is expected to have a significant impact on the agency’s ability to manage foreign aid programs effectively. USAID plays a key role in addressing global humanitarian crises, promoting democracy, and providing economic and health-related assistance worldwide. The reduction in staff could potentially slow down or disrupt ongoing projects and initiatives. The move aligns with Trump’s long-standing criticism of foreign aid spending and his push to prioritize domestic interests over
international assistance. During his previous administration, he proposed multiple budget cuts to USAID, arguing that taxpayer money should be spent on domestic priorities rather than foreign aid programs. As the workforce reduction process begins, it remains to be seen how this decision will affect USAID’s operational efficiency and the U.S. government’s broader foreign policy objectives. The agency’s restructuring could also have geopolitical implications, particularly in regions that rely heavily on U.S. assistance.