The Trump administration has unveiled a plan to significantly reduce staffing for U.S. aid projects worldwide, as part of its efforts to restructure the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This plan would result in fewer than 300 workers remaining out of the thousands currently employed by the agency.
Following this announcement, federal workers associations have filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the shutdown, arguing that President Donald Trump may not have the authority to dismantle an agency established by congressional legislation.
The proposed plan, shared with senior USAID officials, aims to retain a limited number of staff to oversee essential programs. The reduction in staff would affect both direct hires and contractors, leaving only a fraction of the current workforce in place.
It remains unclear whether the reduction to 300 employees is permanent or temporary, pending a review of aid and development programs by the administration. Overseas staff have been given 30 days to return to the U.S., with the government covering travel and moving expenses.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the U.S. will continue providing foreign aid aligned with national interests, despite the restructuring at USAID. The administration, in collaboration with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, has targeted USAID for budget cuts and potential integration into the State Department.
Since President Trump's inauguration, a funding freeze has halted most of USAID's operations globally, placing the majority of its workforce on administrative leave. This move has sparked legal challenges, with critics arguing that congressional approval is required for such significant changes.
The lawsuit filed by worker associations seeks to reopen USAID's operations, reinstate staff, and restore funding, citing the detrimental impact on American workers, global populations, and U.S. national interests.
