USAID staff will be placed on leave beginning this Friday

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that thousands of employees will be placed on leave starting Friday night, with exceptions for mission-critical staff. This follows President Donald Trump’s recent cuts to government-funded programs, as his administration argues USAID is mismanaging funds.

Trump’s previous freeze on foreign aid has already disrupted global assistance efforts, particularly in Syria and Afghanistan. USAID stated it will coordinate with the State Department to arrange return travel for overseas staff within a month.

The agency, which provides humanitarian aid to over 100 countries, employs 10,000 people worldwide, two-thirds of whom work abroad. Some staff are stationed in conflict zones, raising concerns about how they will be withdrawn.

Trump and his allies have prioritized cutting government funding, with USAID a primary target. Marco Rubio was recently appointed acting head of USAID, amid reports of its potential merger with the State Department. Democratic lawmakers have called the move illegal, questioning whether the administration has the authority to restructure the agency without congressional approval.

USAID employees received emails placing them on paid administrative leave, requiring them to remain available by phone and email but restricting access to agency buildings.

Elon Musk, tasked with identifying government spending cuts, has suggested shutting down USAID entirely. Critics warn this would have devastating global consequences, as the agency supports critical initiatives, including prosthetic limbs for Ukrainian soldiers, landmine removal, and Ebola containment.

Democrats strongly oppose the cuts, arguing that weakening USAID undermines U.S. foreign policy and national security. The agency, founded in 1961, operates in 60 countries and managed over $40 billion in funding last fiscal year.