Massive Layoffs Announced

The Trump administration is taking drastic measures as it eliminates over 1,600 positions at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This significant downsizing comes just before midnight on February 23, 2025, an announcement that has sent shockwaves through the agency’s workforce.

In a report by the Associated Press, it was revealed that notifications were distributed to USAID employees regarding the impending layoffs. “As of 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 23, 2025, all USAID direct hire personnel, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and/or specially designated programs, will be placed on administrative leave globally,” the message stated.

This decision reduces the active workforce to fewer than 300 federal employees out of an original pool of 8,000 contractors and direct hires, a move that raises concerns regarding the agency’s capacity to fulfill its global humanitarian missions.

Employee Reactions

The response from affected employees has been one of disbelief and frustration. Many USAID staff members took their belongings from their offices in Washington, D.C., with boxes that carried messages aimed at the administration. One staffer was seen leaving with a box that read, “We are abandoning the world,” a poignant commentary on the agency’s drastic shift in priorities.

Another staff member offered a more defiant message, proclaiming: “You can take the humanitarians out of USAID, but you can’t take the humanity out of the humanitarians.” This sentiment underscores the dedication of many USAID employees, who feel deeply connected to their work abroad.

Legal Challenges and Administrative Changes

In the lead-up to these layoffs, thousands of workers had already been notified of their dismissals. Legal challenges arose from government employee unions, aiming to halt the mass termination of employees. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols recently lifted a temporary restraining order that had initially protected the employees, allowing the administration to move forward with their plans without legal hindrance.

In a controversial move, Trump also appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the acting director of USAID. This decision mirrors a broader strategy that seems focused on reducing the agency’s scope and impact on international development.

Accusations of Wasteful Spending

The Trump administration’s actions come in the wake of criticisms leveled by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is spearheaded by tech mogul Elon Musk. DOGE accused USAID of engaging in wasteful spending practices that have raised eyebrows among lawmakers.

Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), chairwoman of the Senate DOGE Caucus, has publicly highlighted examples of questionable funding decisions made by the agency. Among her revelations was a surprising expenditure of million to create a Sesame Street program in Iraq—a project she labeled as unnecessary in light of the agency’s mission.

Further scrutiny has unveiled other projects funded by USAID that appear to fall outside the agency’s traditional humanitarian focus, including a .5 million initiative aimed at “advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in Serbia’s workplaces and business communities.”

Future of USAID and International Aid

With the impending reductions, it remains uncertain how USAID will maintain its international commitments and ongoing humanitarian programs. The agency will reportedly retain a limited number of staff, both those hired directly as well as some local employees abroad, to oversee what few life-saving initiatives the administration chooses to preserve during this transition.

The shift signals a notable departure from USAID’s historical role in fostering international aid and development, raising critical questions about the future of U.S. foreign aid and the country’s global standing.