Trump Administration Slashes USAID Workforce to Less Than 300 from 10,000 employees

The Trump administration has significantly downsized the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), cutting its workforce from 10,000 to fewer than 300 employees. The decision, reported by the New York Times and Reuters, follows ongoing efforts to reduce federal spending on foreign aid.

“On Thursday, USAID announced that all foreign-based staff would be recalled, and only employees responsible for “mission-critical functions” would remain.”

The agency now has just 294 staff members worldwide, including 12 in its Africa bureau and eight in its Asia bureau.

USAID has also terminated approximately 800 contracts, further limiting its global operations. The reductions are part of a broader initiative led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk. The department has labeled USAID as an example of wasteful government spending. For more updates check our Youtube channel.

The Trump administration intends to merge USAID with the State Department. As part of this transition, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been appointed as the agency’s acting director. The State Department has not issued an official statement on the merger.

The cuts follow President Trump’s executive order pausing U.S. foreign development assistance for 90 days. The administration argues that USAID has been mismanaged and ineffective. “USAID has been run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we’re getting them out,” Trump said.

USAID, established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, has played a crucial role in providing global humanitarian assistance. The agency had a $43.4 billion budget in 2023, with funds allocated to governance aid, health care, humanitarian relief, and infrastructure projects.

Critics warn that the cuts could have severe consequences for international development programs. They argue that scaling back USAID’s work could weaken U.S. influence abroad and reduce support for vulnerable populations. Some lawmakers are calling for congressional intervention to restore funding.

Despite opposition, Trump’s decision aligns with his broader push to reduce federal expenditures. Musk, a key advocate for the cuts, stated that USAID is “beyond repair” and should be shut down.

As the reorganization continues, uncertainty remains over how the State Department will absorb USAID’s responsibilities and whether humanitarian aid efforts will be affected long-term.

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