The majority of employees at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have been placed on leave, according to the administration of US President Donald Trump.
In an effort to reduce the workforce, approximately 2,000 employees are being laid off, the administration has stated. This information was reported by British media outlet BBC on Monday (February 24).
The media outlet reports that the Trump administration sent most of USAID’s employees on administrative leave starting at midnight local time on Sunday. CBS News, a US news partner of BBC, saw an email sent to employees from the Administrator’s office.
The email stated, “In an effort to reduce the workforce, approximately 2,000 employees are being laid off.”
This move comes weeks after President Donald Trump initially attempted to remove thousands of USAID employees, a plan that had faced legal challenges.
At that time, US federal judge temporarily suspended the Trump administration’s plan to reduce staffing at the foreign aid agency. However, last Friday, the judge ruled that the suspension would not be permanent.
A notice sent to employees clarified that “designated employees” in key functions or leadership roles would be exempt from the layoffs. However, it is unclear how many employees have been deemed critical.
The email to employees also stated that USAID intends to provide funds for foreign staff to voluntarily return.
Judge Carl Nichols ruled last Friday that the Trump administration could proceed with its plan to lay off employees. He also dismissed the employees request to block the government’s plan.
LND/SH
