Thousands of USAID Staff Set to Go on Leave as Budget Cuts Hit

Thousands of employees at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) are set to be placed on leave starting Friday night, according to an official statement from the agency.

The move, which affects all “direct-hire personnel” except those in “mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs,” is a part of the latest series of budget cuts and restructuring efforts driven by the Trump administration.

USAID, which employs around 10,000 people globally, provides humanitarian aid to over 100 countries.

The agency’s activities range from offering healthcare support, like providing HIV medications in Nigeria, to clearing landmines in conflict zones.

Despite its vast impact, USAID has faced increasing scrutiny from the Trump administration, with critics arguing that it is wasting taxpayer money and needs to be more aligned with the president’s foreign policy priorities.

The cuts are expected to have far-reaching effects on the global aid system.

Affected employees, many of whom work in regions with active conflicts, have expressed concerns about their withdrawal, especially from locations like Ukraine, where USAID helps injured soldiers, and Africa, where it combats the spread of diseases like Ebola.

The decision to place employees on leave follows a broader freeze on foreign assistance, which has already impacted countries like Haiti.

The United Nations recently reported that $13.3 million in aid for Haiti had been frozen by the U.S., although a waiver was issued to exempt some security-related funding.

The freeze has been part of a wider set of budget cuts, some of which were coordinated with Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency,” a move that has raised eyebrows across political lines.

Democrats in Washington have strongly opposed the decision, calling the cuts and restructuring efforts unconstitutional and dangerous.

New Jersey Senator Andy Kim criticized the actions, stating that USAID is a vital tool for U.S. foreign policy, especially in today’s unstable global environment.

The agency’s work has been crucial to U.S. efforts to compete globally, maintain national security, and support vulnerable populations abroad.

As part of the restructuring, President Trump’s administration has pushed for the possible merger of USAID with the U.S. State Department, with Marco Rubio, the top diplomat, becoming the acting head of USAID.

Critics, including former agency employees, argue that these changes represent an unwarranted power grab by the administration and billionaire Elon Musk, who has suggested that USAID be shut down entirely.

The fate of the agency remains uncertain. While it’s unlikely that USAID will be closed without congressional approval, many fear the cuts could have devastating consequences for millions of people who rely on its support.