In a sweeping move, the Trump administration has drastically reduced the workforce of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), cutting its global staff from over 10,000 to approximately 290 employees—a reduction exceeding 95%.
This decision follows President Donald Trump’s executive order to halt foreign aid, aiming to review and cut USAID’s budget, which he viewed as misaligned with U.S. interests. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has assumed the role of acting administrator, overseeing the agency’s integration into the State Department.
Elon Musk, leading the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), has been instrumental in this restructuring, labelling USAID as being “beyond repair” and advocating for its closure.
The implications of this overhaul are profound. USAID has been pivotal in managing approximately $43 billion in aid programs globally, encompassing disaster relief, food assistance, and healthcare initiatives. The workforce reduction has led to the suspension of numerous programs, including critical clinical trials for diseases such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, potentially endangering vulnerable populations worldwide.
Critics argue that dismantling USAID undermines U.S. foreign policy objectives and cedes influence to global competitors like China. The American Foreign Service Association and the American Federation of Government Employees have filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s actions, alleging violations of constitutional principles and the Administrative Procedure Act.
This unprecedented move marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign aid strategy, with far-reaching consequences for international development and humanitarian assistance.
