The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that thousands of its employees will be placed on leave starting Friday as part of the ongoing budget cuts initiated by the Trump administration.
USAID Staff Facing Leave Amid Cuts Under Trump Administration
USAID Staff Facing Leave Amid Cuts Under Trump Administration
Thousands of USAID employees set to be placed on leave as agency faces budget cuts following presidential policies.
The agency's statement revealed that all "direct-hire personnel" would be affected, excluding those involved in essential operations and leadership roles. The move has sparked widespread concern regarding the ramifications on global humanitarian efforts, as USAID serves over 100 nations and employs a diverse workforce of 10,000.
As part of the transition, employees stationed internationally will have their return travel managed by the State Department within the month. Earlier this week, numerous staff members received a notification stating they were placed on paid administrative leave but must remain reachable through phone or email during business hours.
With Trump's administration swiftly cutting government funding since his re-election, significant focus has been directed at USAID. Recently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio took the helm as acting agency head, furthering the consolidation of U.S. government resources. Elon Musk, who is overseeing spending cuts at the federal level, has voiced strong opinions on the matter, suggesting that USAID should be terminated for being "beyond repair."
Critics, including Democrats, have rallied against these cuts, asserting that dismantling USAID poses severe risks to vulnerable populations globally. Senator Andy Kim emphasized the agency's bipartisan foundation, arguing that disabling its functionalities undermines U.S. security. Established in 1961, USAID plays a vital role in various critical humanitarian missions ranging from prosthetics for injured soldiers in conflict zones to combating health crises like Ebola. With a financial management portfolio exceeding $40 billion in 2023 alone, the agency's operations are poised for significant disruption.
As part of the transition, employees stationed internationally will have their return travel managed by the State Department within the month. Earlier this week, numerous staff members received a notification stating they were placed on paid administrative leave but must remain reachable through phone or email during business hours.
With Trump's administration swiftly cutting government funding since his re-election, significant focus has been directed at USAID. Recently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio took the helm as acting agency head, furthering the consolidation of U.S. government resources. Elon Musk, who is overseeing spending cuts at the federal level, has voiced strong opinions on the matter, suggesting that USAID should be terminated for being "beyond repair."
Critics, including Democrats, have rallied against these cuts, asserting that dismantling USAID poses severe risks to vulnerable populations globally. Senator Andy Kim emphasized the agency's bipartisan foundation, arguing that disabling its functionalities undermines U.S. security. Established in 1961, USAID plays a vital role in various critical humanitarian missions ranging from prosthetics for injured soldiers in conflict zones to combating health crises like Ebola. With a financial management portfolio exceeding $40 billion in 2023 alone, the agency's operations are poised for significant disruption.
