US Agency for International Development (USAID) is poised for its most dramatic transformation since its inception, with approximately 1,600 US-based personnel facing immediate redundancy by Sunday midnight, whilst the majority of its global workforce will be placed on administrative leave, reports the AFP.
The sweeping measures, confirmed via the agency's official channels, exempt only those deemed essential for "mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programmes".
This unprecedented reduction in force follows a federal judge's ruling on Friday, which removed legal obstacles to the Trump administration's ambitious downsizing plans.
The restructuring represents a significant victory for the administration's cost-cutting agenda, targeting an organisation that has historically commanded a Congressional mandate of over $40 billion and employed more than 10,000 staff worldwide. The agency has long served as a cornerstone of American soft power diplomacy.
For affected personnel stationed overseas, USAID has pledged to cover repatriation expenses. The agency is expected to issue guidance regarding the retrieval of personal effects and the return of government-issued equipment in the coming days.
The reforms have garnered vocal support from prominent figures, including tech magnate Elon Musk, who, alongside Trump, has levelled accusations of widespread fraud within the organisation – claims that remain largely unsubstantiated.
Whilst USAID has weathered criticism regarding operational efficiency and programme effectiveness throughout its decades-long history, it has maintained its position as a crucial instrument of American diplomatic influence, operating humanitarian and development initiatives across the globe.
The agency's imminent transformation raises questions about America's future capacity to project soft power internationally and the fate of numerous humanitarian programmes currently under its stewardship.
