The Trump administration has fired 2,000 staff members of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) while placing thousands more on leave, marking one of the most significant steps yet in President Donald Trump’s campaign to drastically reduce the size of the federal government.
According to reports from The Associated Press, the administration announced the decision on Sunday, 23 February 2025, stating that only a small fraction of USAID employees responsible for critical functions and leadership would remain in their roles. This decision follows a ruling on Friday by U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, who allowed the administration to proceed with the mass furlough and dismissals despite legal challenges from employee groups.
“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,” read the notice sent to USAID workers, as seen by The Associated Press.
In addition to placing employees on leave, the administration has begun a reduction in force that will eliminate 2,000 U.S.-based positions, mainly in Washington, D.C. This move aligns with Trump’s broader initiative, supported by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, to dismantle USAID, which they argue is wasteful and advances a liberal agenda.
Pete Marocco, Trump’s deputy administrator running USAID, has stated that about 600 staffers, mostly based in the U.S., will remain active temporarily to coordinate logistics for staff and their families abroad. Meanwhile, both USAID and the State Department have yet to respond to inquiries regarding the agency’s future operations.
Legal and Political Fallout
The sweeping changes have ignited strong opposition from unions representing government employees, USAID contractors, and various advocacy groups. Lawsuits challenging the administration’s authority to unilaterally dissolve an independent agency without congressional approval are currently making their way through the courts. Critics argue that the elimination of USAID undermines decades of U.S. foreign policy, which has traditionally linked international development aid with national security and diplomatic stability.
Additionally, reports indicate that hundreds of USAID contractors received anonymous termination letters in the past week. The lack of individual identification in these letters could complicate efforts for affected workers to claim unemployment benefits, raising further concerns about the administration’s handling of the dismissals.
Aid Funding Freeze Temporarily Blocked
Despite Trump’s aggressive push to halt USAID operations, a separate federal court has temporarily blocked his administration from freezing foreign aid funding. The judge in that case recently found that the White House had continued withholding funds in defiance of a previous court order and instructed the administration to restore funding to global development programs.
With ongoing legal battles and mounting opposition from international allies, the future of USAID remains uncertain. As the Trump administration moves forward with its plans, critics warn that dismantling the agency could have lasting consequences for U.S. influence and humanitarian efforts worldwide.
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