Thousands of USAID terminations to take effect by September in agency’s final leg of ‘drawdown’
The Trump administration is making significant changes to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in line with the president’s “America First” policy. Thousands of USAID employees are set to be terminated by September, as the agency undergoes restructuring to align with the administration’s foreign policy goals.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly emphasized that President Trump and Secretary Rubio are focused on stewarding taxpayer dollars effectively and ensuring that foreign aid programs serve America’s national interests. This includes eliminating staff positions that do not advance the president’s agenda of prioritizing America’s interests.
USAID, established under the Kennedy administration, has come under scrutiny for alleged mismanagement and overspending. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) conducted an investigation into the agency, with its leader Elon Musk criticizing USAID as a “viper’s nest of radical-left marxists who hate America.”
In February, the administration had already reduced the number of U.S.-based workers at USAID as part of the ongoing investigation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been serving as the agency’s acting administrator since February.
Recent reports claimed that three USAID workers in Myanmar were fired while assisting with earthquake relief efforts. However, a senior State Department official clarified that no one was fired, and the response efforts were progressing well on the ground.
Approximately 4,600 USAID personnel, both in foreign and civil service, will be impacted by the latest reduction in force directive. This represents a significant decrease from the more than 10,000 employees at USAID before Trump took office.
The State Department and USAID have notified Congress of their intention to reorganize certain USAID functions to the department by July 1, 2025. Functions not absorbed by the State Department will be discontinued.
The administration is prioritizing the safety of all personnel and ensuring an orderly repatriation of colleagues posted overseas. The restructuring efforts aim to streamline operations, eliminate duplicative functions, and ensure accountability for the agency’s foreign aid programs.
Overall, the Trump administration’s actions reflect a broader effort to realign USAID with its “America First” policy priorities. The agency’s restructuring will result in significant changes to its operations and personnel, as it aims to better serve the interests of the United States on the global stage.
