The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) faces a dramatic shakeup as the Trump administration orders nearly all direct-hire employees on administrative leave. This move comes amidst escalating attacks from the Trump administration, raising concerns about the future of this critical humanitarian aid agency.
The U.S. Agency for International Development ( USAID ) announced on Tuesday night that nearly all direct hires worldwide will be placed on administrative leave this week. The move came after days of attacks from the Trump administration, including President Donald Trump himself. The announcement, posted on the organization's website, stated that beginning at 11:59 p.m.
Friday, 'all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programs.' Those expected to continue working will be notified by 3 p.m. Thursday, the announcement said, adding that the government is working on a plan to return workers who are not in the country back to the United States if contracts are 'not determined to be essential.' It concluded with: 'Thank you for your service.' USAID 'direct hires' are civil and foreign service workers, according to the Congressional Research Service (CRS). There are other ways people work with USAID. The number of workers affected by Tuesday night's notice is in the thousands. USAID's workforce totals more than 10,000 direct hires and a type of contractor known as personal services contractors, the research service said in a January report. Around two-thirds of staff work overseas. The American Foreign Service Association, which represents around 1,800 foreign service officers — mostly at more than 80 USAID missions overseas — has denounced what it characterized as a decision to 'dismantle' USAID. On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order freezing foreign aid funding for at least 90 days. The agency's headquarters were abruptly closed Monday, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was taking over the agency and then appointed State Department official Pete Marocco to run it. Many Democratic lawmakers have expressed outrage, calling it illegal and saying USAID was established under a law passed by Congress. Some Republicans have voiced criticism, as well. USAID delivers billions of dollars in humanitarian aid overseas, funding that advocates say provides a critical lifeline to more than 100 countries at only a small fraction of the overall federal budget. President John F. Kennedy signed USAID into being through an executive order in 1961 after Congress passed the Foreign Assistance Act. The law required the creation of an agency to administer foreign assistance. When Bill Clinton was president, Congress passed and Clinton signed the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998, which established USAID as an independent entity outside of the State Department. A report by the Congressional Research Service this month says that Trump does not have the authority to abolish USAID and that congressional action would be required for any such move. In fiscal year 2023, USAID managed more than $40 billion in combined appropriations to about 130 countries, the Congressional Research Service said. Some of the top recipients were Ukraine, which is fighting a devastating war after having been invaded by Russia, Somalia, Ethiopia, Jordan and Congo. The Trump administration promised sweeping cuts to foreign assistance and radical changes to the government. Elon Musk, who a White House employee said is serving in the administration as a 'special government employee,' said early Monday on X that he and Trump were 'shutting down USAID.' He added in a post that, 'We spent the weekend feeding USAID into the wood chipper.' Experts interviewed by NBC this week warned that the elimination of USAID would weaken the U.S. in South America and Africa, and allow Russia and China to exert more influence on other nations
USAID Trump Administration Foreign Aid Humanitarian Aid Political Shakeup Congressional Action
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump Administration Orders Mass Leave for USAID Staff WorldwideThe Trump administration has placed most of the U.S. Agency for International Development's direct-hire staff on leave, significantly disrupting the agency's global operations. The move, part of a broader effort to consolidate USAID within the State Department, has sparked outrage and legal challenges from the agency's employees and their union.
Read more »
Trump Administration Orders Administrative Leave for Almost All USAID EmployeesThe U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that almost all direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave starting Friday, with exceptions for mission-critical functions, core leadership, and designated programs. The move has sparked outrage from Democratic lawmakers who argue it is illegal and that USAID was established by Congress. Some Republicans maintain that Trump lacks the authority to abolish USAID and Congressional action would be required.
Read more »
Trump Administration Orders USAID Staff to Return Home, Dismantling Agency's Global PresenceThe Trump administration has issued an order for all USAID direct-hire staffers to return to the United States within 30 days, significantly shrinking the agency's international footprint. This move comes amid a broader freeze on foreign aid, resulting in thousands of job losses and program suspensions worldwide.
Read more »
USAID Faces Shutdown Amidst Trump Administration RestructuringThe United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is facing potential closure under the Trump administration. Several sources report that Marocco, a political appointee with a history of controversial actions, is leading a review that could result in the suspension or elimination of programs, downsizing of operations, and even the agency's complete dismantling. Critics have accused Marocco of recklessly targeting USAID, a key player in global humanitarian and development efforts.
Read more »
Trump administration memo tells USAID to put 'America First' in reviewing foreign aidTrump administration memo tells USAID to put 'America First' in reviewing foreign aid
Read more »
Trump Administration Places USAID Officials on Leave for Allegedly Circumventing Aid FreezeThe Trump administration placed several senior career officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on administrative leave. The move follows allegations that they were not abiding by President Trump's executive order to freeze much of U.S. foreign aid. The USAID acting administrator stated that the agency identified actions that appeared to circumvent the President's order.
Read more »