Most USAID workers to be fired or placed on leave

As President Donald Trump’s administration continues to cut federal expenditure, USAID announced that the majority of its staff will be put on leave or let go by Sunday midnight.

According to a post on the website of the US Agency for International Development, around 1,600 employees working in the United States would be let go as part of a “reduction-in-force” initiative.

Worldwide administrative leave will be implemented for all other employees directly hired by USAID, with the exception of those in charge of “mission-critical functions, core leadership, and/or specially designated programs.”

The move is a step forward in Trump’s effort to dismantle USAID, which has more than 10,000 employees and operates an array of humanitarian and development programs around the world.

Earlier this month, the agency declared that all employees would be placed on administrative leave; however, this decision was challenged in court.

However, a federal judge on Friday overturned an order that had halted the Trump administration’s intentions to dismantle USAID.

The agency stated in a statement on Sunday that management would notify the remaining employees who were scheduled to continue working by 5:00 p.m. (2200 GMT) on the same day.

Additionally, USAID stated that it will pay for the return travel costs of employees who are stationed abroad.

“In the coming week, we will provide details on how to retrieve personal items from the former USAID workspaces and return government issued devices,” it said.

Trump and his allies — including billionaire donor Elon Musk — allege USAID is rife with “fraud,” but have provided little proof of the accusations.

Its services range from governance to life-saving food assistance, and Congress has mandated a budget of approximately $40 billion.

Over the years, the long-standing organization has been under fire from the humanitarian community for its excessive administrative expenses and concerns over whether some of its initiatives are successful.

However, USAID has also been a crucial US instrument of “soft power” throughout the world, which is the capacity of a nation to influence others by appealing to them.