On Friday, the Trump administration advanced a sweeping plan to overhaul the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), cutting its workforce significantly and shifting much of its responsibilities to the State Department, according to The New York Times.
This restructuring will reduce USAID’s staff from approximately 10,000 employees to just 15, marking the most significant shake-up in the agency’s history.
In an email sent to USAID employees on March 28, titled “USAID’s Final Mission,” the administration outlined the upcoming layoffs. All non-statutory employees are scheduled to be terminated by July 1, though some may continue working until September 2.
The restructuring also provides the opportunity for affected employees to apply for reemployment within the State Department, though details about this process remain unclear.
This move is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to align U.S. foreign aid with its diplomatic priorities, including efforts to reduce illegal immigration and secure key resources such as rare earth minerals.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the restructuring, stating, “We are realigning our foreign assistance programs to directly benefit the United States and our citizens.” He criticized USAID’s previous model as “misguided and fiscally irresponsible.”
However, the plan has faced strong opposition from lawmakers and USAID staff, who argue that the cuts are illegal and damaging to U.S. global interests.
The restructuring follows several months of actions to reduce foreign aid programs, including layoffs of hundreds of USAID employees and the cancellation of multiple contracts.
Critics have expressed concerns over the elimination of crucial programs, such as funding for childhood vaccines and malaria prevention in developing nations. These programs are expected to be cut as part of the restructuring.
The layoffs have also led to frustration among USAID staff, who have raised concerns about clerical errors and procedural shortcomings in the way termination notices were issued.
Although the Trump administration has proceeded with the plan, it has not yet received Congressional approval, raising questions about its legality. Democratic lawmakers have condemned the cuts as an unlawful closure of the agency and warned of potential harm to U.S. foreign policy and national security.
