In a sweeping move, the Trump administration has placed USAID staff globally on leave, a decision that could significantly reshape the U.S. foreign aid agency. This unprecedented action is part of President Donald Trump’s broader plan to merge USAID with the State Department, raising concerns about the future of the agency’s humanitarian and development programs worldwide.
Thousands of Staff Impacted
USAID, with more than 10,000 employees around the world and two-thirds of those abroad, was instructed to bring its workers back to the United States within 30 days. The agency operates more than 60 country and regional missions, and the blanket leave order has caused uncertainty for staff members and their families.
While some employees responsible for critical functions and leadership roles will be exempted, the agency’s leadership will assess individual cases based on hardship, mobility, and safety concerns. However, the abrupt decision has raised alarm among international aid organizations and government officials who fear disruptions in key development projects.
Merging USAID with the State Department
The move aligns with President Trump’s broader strategy to consolidate USAID into the State Department, potentially dismantling its status as an independent agency. On Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that he was now acting as the head of USAID, criticizing the agency for being “completely unresponsive” and unwilling to provide details on its programs.
In a letter to Congress, Rubio outlined reorganization plans where pieces of USAID could potentially be subsumed into the State Department and others eliminated. However, a CRS report observed that USAID’s independent existence, as created by Congress, barred the President from abolishing it without legislative authorization.
USAID in Doubt
These changes are bound to leave thousands of employees worried about the future and the fate of U.S. foreign aid. As USAID plays a critical role in humanitarian efforts, development projects, and disaster relief worldwide, these sweeping changes could have great implications for global aid programs.
Lawmakers and international aid groups have condemned the administration’s decision, citing that dismantling USAID would weaken America’s influence abroad and disrupt critical relief initiatives. As the reorganization unfolds, the fate of USAID remains uncertain, and many are waiting for a congressional response to Trump’s latest move.
