But as the Trump administration slashes government spending, USAID, America’s foreign aid agency, could reportedly see its ranks shrink from a global workforce of about 10,000 down to fewer than 300 in a dramatic staffing reduction.
Starting this Friday at midnight, all but essential personnel are slated to take administrative leave; of those, several thousand serve outside the United States. A blanket notice says efforts will be taken to arrange transportation home and an end to funding for nonessential contractors.
Only 294 staff have been declared essential, according to one of the unions leading a lawsuit against the moves. Planned cuts to USAID by Trump-something reportedly backed by adviser Elon Musk-have already disrupted many aid programs around the world.
The administration has criticized USAID for perceived inefficiencies and a lack of alignment with the “America First” policy, a sentiment reflecting broader skepticism among many Americans about foreign aid. A recent AP-NORC poll showed that nearly 90% of Republicans believe the country spends too much on foreign assistance.
The move epitomizes Trump’s continued effort to cut federal spending since his return to office. He has launched a restructuring of the federal government and formed an advisory group, also referred to as the Department of Government Efficiency-Doge-headed by Musk, tasked with proposing budget cuts.
As the largest donor of humanitarian aid, the United States operates in over 60 countries, many of which are implemented through contractors. Also, the former chiefs of USAID have shown their concern about the proposed reductions. Gayle Smith, who served as one of the chiefs, said the United States traditionally had quick responses to humanitarian crises, adding that these changes foretell a worrying signal for the commitment of America to global welfare.
For its part, the American Foreign Service Association joined forces with the American Federation of Government Employees in a lawsuit against such an act of the administration, citing it as a violation of the U.S. Constitution and federal law. The suit argues that only Congress has that prerogative to dissolve USAID and calls for restoration of leadership and operations therein.
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois, referred to the cuts as “terrible news for global public health” and said reforms could be made without hurting the mission of the agency.
The cuts have already begun to be felt globally. Nelson Otwoma, head of the Kenyan chapter of the NGO Network of HIV People, documented widespread layoffs and disruptions in care provided by the USAID and CDC. Anxiety is rife as communities await word on access to life-saving medicines.
There are also recent reports that signal the merger of USAID with the State Department. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, currently the acting head of USAID, defended the administration’s stance in saying that the U.S. would continue to provide foreign aid, but it had to be day in and day out in concert with national priorities.
“The United States is not walking away from foreign aid,” Rubio said, but he also made clear that programs need to be justifiable and defendable.
