Thousands of USAID Employees on Leave After Trump’s Cuts
USAID, which employs over 10,000 people globally, said two-thirds of its staff work in overseas missions. The agency plays a crucial role in delivering humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations in over 100 countries. However, this mass administrative leave initiative has raised alarm among aid organizations and government officials alike.
Many USAID staff received an email earlier in the week informing them they had been placed on paid administrative leave. The email, obtained by BBC News, requires employees to remain available via telephone and email but bars them from accessing USAID facilities.
This drastic move is part of the Trump administration’s renewed efforts to reduce government spending. Earlier this week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was appointed as the interim head of USAID, consolidating some of its functions under the State Department. Additionally, Elon Musk, charged with leading a new agency aimed at cutting federal spending, has publicly called for shutting down USAID entirely, deeming it “beyond repair.”
Potential Impacts of USAID Staff Reductions
The removal of thousands of USAID employees from active duty raises serious concerns about the future of global humanitarian programs. The agency manages a yearly budget exceeding $40 billion (approximately £32 billion), with activities spanning prosthetic aid for injured soldiers in Ukraine, clearing landmines in conflict zones, and disease containment in Africa.
Many policymakers and humanitarian advocates argue that sidelining USAID will compromise global stability. “We are gutting a foreign policy tool with bipartisan origins that is critical in this dangerous global environment,” Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey said. “This move undermines our ability to compete and keep America safe.”
Founded in 1961 under President John F. Kennedy, USAID is considered a vital part of US foreign policy. It functions as an international soft-power tool, combating poverty and fostering development programs that directly align with US interests abroad. Aid organizations warn that reducing USAID’s workforce and potentially closing its operations would weaken the United States’ ability to respond to crises and leave vulnerable populations in peril.
Trump Administration’s Broader Approach to Government Cuts
Since President Trump’s return to office, his administration has prioritized significant government budget cuts, with USAID becoming a primary focus. Critics accuse Trump and his allies of ignoring the long-term consequences of dismantling programs that provide direct benefits to nations in need and solidify US influence abroad.
Elon Musk’s role is particularly controversial, with the billionaire openly criticizing USAID’s structure and advocating for drastic reductions in funding. Musk claimed that the agency has become bloated and inefficient, prompting calls for reforms or closure.
This decision comes against a backdrop of larger geopolitical concerns, with USAID playing an active role in Ukraine, Africa, and other strategic regions. Experts warn that these staff cuts could disrupt key programs at a time when global humanitarian needs are rising due to conflicts, natural disasters, and economic vulnerabilities.
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