In a move aimed at reducing government spending and reshaping the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Trump administration has terminated 1,600 USAID jobs in the US and placed all personnel, except leaders and critical staff, on paid administrative leave.
According to USAID, all direct hires except essential workers will be put on leave, effective immediately. The Department of Government Efficiency, headed by billionaire Elon Musk, has led the effort to restructure USAID, citing concerns over the agency’s efficiency and effectiveness in global initiatives.
The affected employees received an email stating that they would be let go from federal service effective April 24. USAID has also announced that it will fund return travel expenses for staff based overseas.
This development comes after a federal judge cleared the way for the Trump administration to put thousands of USAID workers on leave, despite opposition from government employee unions. The unions argue that the move is an effort to dismantle the agency, which has more than 10,000 employees and operates a range of humanitarian and development programs worldwide.
The White House has not yet commented on the development, which is part of a broader strategy to cut federal programs. Critics question the long-term impact of the move on USAID’s global initiatives and the thousands of employees affected.
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