The Trump administration has announced the withdrawal of almost all U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) workers from the field and their removal from assignments worldwide. The decision, which effectively ends much of a six-decade mission aimed at bolstering American security through foreign aid, was made public Tuesday. USAID workers were notified via emails and an online notice, marking the most extreme action in the ongoing efforts to reduce the agency’s operations under political appointees from President Donald Trump’s first term and Elon Musk’s government-efficiency teams.
The order, set to take effect by midnight Friday, mandates that USAID’s direct-hire overseas staff return to the U.S. within 30 days unless deemed essential. Non-essential contractors will also be let go. This move follows rumors that the administration was considering consolidating USAID into the State Department, with other options including the closure of smaller missions and partial shutdowns of larger ones. Thousands of USAID staff had already been laid off, and numerous programs have been halted after a freeze on foreign assistance. This suspension of U.S.-funded aid work has disrupted health programs, including efforts to combat epidemics like Ebola and HIV/AIDS, and delayed shipments of critical food and medical supplies.
USAID’s humanitarian work in over 120 countries, including development projects for clean water, education, and health, has been severely impacted. Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns that dismantling USAID violates its legislative status as an independent agency and may harm U.S. diplomatic efforts. The disruption is expected to cost the government tens of millions of dollars in relocation expenses, and the American Foreign Service Association has signaled potential legal action.
As USAID staff are recalled, there are growing concerns about the disruption to critical programs, including security assistance to countries like Ukraine. The decision comes as Secretary of State Marco Rubio travels through Central America, where USAID programs have been integral.
