Drastic Cuts Loom for USAID as Administrative Leave Takes Effect

As the Trump administration moves forward with significant cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), nearly all of its staff are set to be placed on administrative leave, prompting legal actions from unions and public backlash over the implications for global aid efforts.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is facing drastic cuts under the Trump administration, with potential reductions in staff from about 10,000 to less than 300 worldwide. A notification indicates that almost all non-essential personnel will be placed on administrative leave starting Friday, including thousands working overseas. The agency's operations are being disrupted, with many programs already halted across various countries.

USAID, the primary provider of humanitarian assistance globally, has been criticized by Trump’s administration, particularly by his advisor Elon Musk, who claims the agency mismanages taxpayer funds and fails to adhere to "America First" policies. Polls show that a significant portion of the American public, particularly Republicans, support these cutbacks, with many believing that the country spends too much on foreign aid.

Former USAID chief Brian Atwood has denounced the proposed workforce reductions as "outrageous," warning that such cuts would have devastating consequences on the aid agency that has historically saved millions of lives. In response, the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the dismantling of USAID is unconstitutional and lacks congressional approval.

The legal challenge targets not only Trump but also the Secretary of State and the Treasury Department, seeking an immediate halt to the implementation of cuts and restoration of essential services and contracts. The lawsuit highlights that the sudden slashing of USAID's capabilities has already sparked a global humanitarian crisis and risked national security interests.

Amid the unfolding turmoil, U.S. officials, including Senator Marco Rubio, have stated that while aid distribution is not being abandoned, future programs will be reevaluated to align more closely with U.S. priorities. As the deadline for staff leave looms, the implications of these budget decisions remain vividly uncertain for both domestic and international humanitarian efforts.