Washington — The Trump administration has made a bold move to cut costs and reduce the size of the federal government by announcing on Sunday that 2,000 staff positions in the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will be eliminated. This decision, which also includes placing most of the remaining staff members on leave, is one of the biggest steps yet in President Donald Trump and his cost-cutting ally Elon Musk’s campaign to overhaul the six-decade-old aid and development agency.
The move follows a ruling by U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols on Friday, allowing the administration to proceed with its plan to pull thousands of USAID staff off the job in the U.S. and around the world. Despite pleas from USAID employees to temporarily block the government’s plan, the judge rejected their petitions.
In a notice sent to USAID workers, it was announced that as of 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 23, 2025, all USAID direct hire personnel, with the exception of those responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs, will be placed on administrative leave globally. Additionally, the agency has stated that it will begin a reduction in force that will result in the elimination of 2,000 U.S.-based staff positions. This means that many of the Washington-based staff who are currently being placed on leave will eventually have their positions eliminated.
Deputy Administrator Pete Marocco, a Trump appointee who currently heads USAID, has indicated that he plans to keep around 600 U.S.-based staffers employed in the interim, in order to organize travel for USAID employees and their families who are currently stationed abroad. The State Department and USAID have not released any official statements in response to this recent decision.
These moves mark the latest development in the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle USAID, which have included shutting down thousands of aid and development programs worldwide and freezing all foreign assistance. Both President Trump and Elon Musk have argued that USAID’s work is wasteful and serves a liberal agenda.
However, these decisions have sparked numerous lawsuits from government workers’ unions, USAID contractors, and others, who claim that the administration lacks the constitutional authority to eliminate an independent agency or congressionally-funded programs without the approval of lawmakers.
This drastic change in the operations of USAID is a significant departure from decades of U.S. policy, which has recognized aid and development work as a crucial tool for promoting national security by stabilizing regions, economies, and building alliances. It has been a critical aspect of U.S. “soft power,” which is key to winning influence abroad.
In addition to the staff reductions, hundreds of USAID contractors have also received form letters of termination in the past week, with no names or positions listed. This impersonal approach may make it challenging for the dismissed workers to receive unemployment benefits.
Meanwhile, a different judge in a separate lawsuit has temporarily blocked the freeze on foreign funding, and has stated that the administration has continued to withhold aid despite the court’s order. He has also demanded that the funding be temporarily restored to programs around the world.
While these changes may seem drastic and controversial, it is important to remember the ultimate goal of the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s cost-cutting efforts. By reducing the size and scope of USAID, they aim to create a more efficient and effective agency that will continue to prioritize the well-being and prosperity of the American people. With this vision in mind, we can look forward to a brighter future for USAID and the United States as a whole.
