The Trump administration has placed the majority of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) employees on administrative leave as of midnight on Sunday, and laid off hundreds more.
This action affects approximately 4,200 staff members, in addition to the 1,600 employees who are being fired.
This move comes after a legal challenge delayed President Donald Trump’s initial attempt to eliminate thousands of USAID positions. A federal judge temporarily halted the administration’s plan, but ruled on Friday that the pause would not be permanent. USAID, founded in 1961, employed around 10,000 staff until the recent cost-cutting measures began.
On Sunday, the Office of the Administrator notified USAID employees that “designated personnel” responsible for critical functions or in leadership roles would be exempt from administrative leave.
The number of employees who will remain on the job is unclear, though USAID had previously identified 611 essential personnel. The agency also plans to fund voluntary return travel for overseas staff.
According to CBS, USAID’s website indicates that an additional 1,600 personnel in the US will face a “reduction-in-force.” In total, this means at least 5,800 USAID employees will be on administrative leave or laid off, representing well over half of the agency’s workforce.
The development follows a ruling on Friday by Judge Carl Nichols in Washington, DC, allowing the Trump administration to proceed with its plans to reduce USAID staff.
