Hundreds of contract employees at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were laid off following a stop-work order issued by the Trump administration for all foreign aid projects. The layoffs, affecting all departments within USAID, have raised concerns about the systematic dismantling of the agency and its ability to address global poverty, disease, and humanitarian needs.
Hundreds of contract employees were laid off by the U.S. Agency for International Development ( USAID ) as the Trump Administration 's stop-work order for foreign assistance went into effect. A USAID official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that nearly 400 contract employees based in the U.S. were terminated. These layoffs represent a significant portion of USAID 's 10,000-strong contractor workforce.
A termination letter obtained by NPR from a contractor laid off by Credence, one of USAID's primary staffing contractors, stated, 'Unfortunately, Credence received a Stop Work Order, and without the authority to proceed, we have no work for you to perform.' Laid-off employees expressed deep concern, describing the situation as 'unconscionable' and part of a larger pattern of 'systematic dismantling' of USAID to create chaos. They reported that all departments within the agency, including those focused on HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases, and child health, were impacted by the layoffs. Employees shared that entire floors had been emptied and walls stripped of USAID-related photos. This follows a day earlier when USAID placed several senior officials on leave for allegedly attempting to circumvent the President's Executive Order and the will of the American people. This action was taken to ensure USAID's operations aligned with the administration's priorities. The stop-work order issued by the State Department applies not only to future aid projects but also to existing ones, pending a review to determine if they align with President Donald Trump's foreign policy agenda. The Trump administration has previously expressed its belief that the U.S. foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are misaligned with American interests and, in many cases, contradictory to American values
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