Washington, February 24, 2025 – The Europe Today: The Trump administration has announced the elimination of 2,000 positions at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and placed nearly all remaining staff worldwide on administrative leave, with only a small fraction exempted to maintain mission-critical operations.
According to official notices sent to USAID employees and reviewed by The Associated Press, the workforce reductions took effect at 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 23, 2025. The move follows a federal court ruling on Friday, in which U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols rejected a lawsuit from USAID employees seeking to block the administration’s plan.
“As of 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 23, 2025, all USAID direct hire personnel, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership, and/or specially designated programs, will be placed on administrative leave globally,” the notice stated.
Concerns Over Impact on USAID Operations and Workers Abroad
The cuts have sparked concerns, particularly for USAID staff stationed overseas who have reported being cut off from government communications. However, the administration has assured employees that they will retain access to agency systems, diplomatic channels, and emergency resources until their return home.
Employees placed on leave overseas are expected to receive “voluntary Agency-funded return travel” along with additional benefits, though details remain unclear. Judge Nichols, a Trump appointee, acknowledged concerns about USAID workers in high-risk areas lacking emergency communication but stated he was reassured by government assurances that they would retain access to 24/7 two-way radios and an emergency phone app with a “panic button.”
“The risk posed to USAID employees who are placed on administrative leave while stationed abroad—if there is any—is far more minimal than it initially appeared,” Nichols ruled.
Mass Contractor Terminations and Aid Freeze Dispute
In addition to direct hires, hundreds of USAID contractors reportedly received form letters of termination over the weekend, with no individual names or positions included. This blanket notification approach has raised concerns about potential difficulties in accessing unemployment benefits, according to affected workers.
Meanwhile, in a separate legal battle, a second federal judge has temporarily blocked the administration’s freeze on foreign assistance. The court determined that despite previous rulings, the administration had continued withholding USAID funding and ordered the temporary restoration of aid to programs worldwide.
The USAID reductions mark one of the most significant cutbacks at the agency in recent history, with implications for U.S. foreign aid efforts and diplomatic engagements globally.
