The Trump administration has moved forward with a major downsizing of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), placing nearly all its global staff on leave and eliminating 2,000 positions.
The decision follows a federal court ruling allowing the administration to proceed with its efforts to curtail the agency’s operations.
This step marks one of the most significant actions in the administration’s broader push to shrink the federal government. According to official notices sent to staff, only a small fraction of personnel, including those in leadership roles and mission-critical positions, will remain active.
Large-Scale Workforce Reductions at USAID
The USAID workforce reduction is part of a month-long campaign by the Trump administration to restructure the agency, which has long been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign aid and development efforts.
According to the notices sent to employees, all direct-hire personnel were placed on administrative leave as of late Sunday, while a formal reduction in force process is eliminating 2,000 positions, primarily affecting U.S.-based staff.
The decision follows a ruling by U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, who declined to block the administration’s actions despite legal challenges from employees and government worker unions.
Some lawsuits have argued that the administration lacks the authority to dismantle an independent agency without congressional approval.
According to internal communications viewed by The Associated Press, Pete Marocco, the Trump-appointed deputy administrator of USAID, intends to keep around 600 employees to manage essential operations, including arranging travel for agency personnel and their families. The agency and the State Department have not provided official comments on the matter.
Impact on Aid Programs and Foreign Policy
The restructuring of USAID follows earlier measures to suspend foreign assistance funding and shut down multiple development programs worldwide.
Critics argue that these actions could have serious implications for U.S. diplomacy and national security, as USAID has traditionally played a key role in stabilising regions through economic development and humanitarian aid.
Legal disputes continue over the constitutionality of the administration’s approach. Another federal judge recently ruled against the administration’s move to withhold foreign aid funding, stating that the government had violated the court’s previous order by continuing to block funds.
Additionally, USAID contractors have received termination notices in a format that omits their names or job titles, which could complicate their ability to claim unemployment benefits, according to workers cited by the Associated Press.
