In brief
The Trump administration has decided to put most USAID workers on administrative leave and lay off around 2,000 employees, as part of ongoing workforce reductions led by President Trump and advisor Elon Musk. The move comes after a federal judge allowed these plans to proceed despite previous legal challenges.
The Trump administration has initiated a major overhaul of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), with plans to place nearly all of its employees on administrative leave. This significant workforce reduction, beginning at midnight on Sunday, is expected to impact approximately 2,000 workers as part of a broader strategy to streamline agency operations.A recent email from the Office of the Administrator, which CBS News acquired, outlined the process. While most employees will be placed on leave, some "designated personnel" responsible for vital functions or leadership roles will remain active. However, the total number of these critical employees remains unclear.This decision follows a federal court ruling that allowed the Trump administration's layoffs to go ahead, dismissing concerns raised by employees about the impact on the agency's essential programs. Judge Carl Nichols ruled that the government could proceed with its plans despite a temporary pause that had followed President Trump's earlier attempts to cut thousands of positions at USAID.These developments mark another chapter in the Trump administration's efforts to reduce federal employment and spending, particularly targeting agencies involved in foreign aid. Trump and Musk have publicly criticized USAID's funding and operations, echoing sentiments shared at a recent conservative convention where Trump labeled USAID as a "left-wing scam." Musk, an outspoken critic of the agency, characterized it as a "criminal organization," although he did not supply evidence for these allegations.USAID, which employs around 10,000 people, with a significant portion working overseas, is stuck in a contentious landscape of political and operational turbulence. The agency's strategic functions are now in question, prompting concerns over potential implications for global health and international aid efforts as they prepare for staffing reductions. Amid these changes, USAID plans to offer travel assistance for overseas employees considering voluntary departure.
