On February 5, 2025, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that nearly all employees would be placed on administrative leave by Friday. This decision has sparked widespread concern that the Trump administration is preparing to dismantle the agency. Following a freeze on foreign aid and allegations of corruption, the future of U.S. international aid now hangs in the balance.
The announcement came just two weeks after President Trump issued an executive order on January 20, 2025, pausing all foreign aid. USAID personnel across the globe are being directly affected, signaling a significant shift in the agency’s operations.
Administrative Leave and Staff Reductions
USAID employees were informed they would be placed on administrative leave, with exceptions made only for those responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs. The agency is currently arranging return travel for personnel posted outside the United States, with a 30-day deadline.
Additionally, USAID plans to terminate contracts deemed “non-essential,” which will impact a large portion of its workforce. Remaining essential staff will be notified by Thursday afternoon.
A De-Facto State Department Takeover
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has taken on the role of acting administrator of USAID, signaling a de-facto takeover by the U.S. Department of State. Dozens of senior officials have been placed on leave, thousands of contractors have been laid off, and USAID employees were instructed not to report to the agency’s Washington headquarters, which remains closed.
Employees have also lost access to government systems and emails, while USAID headquarters and annex offices in Washington, D.C., will remain closed for the foreseeable future. A letter from USAID leadership instructed staff not to enter agency premises or access USAID systems without prior permission.
Allegations and Uncertainty
The Trump administration has accused USAID of corruption, citing findings from Elon Musk without providing specific evidence. This has left USAID employees in shock and distress. Reports from inside the agency describe friends and colleagues in tears, overwhelmed by uncertainty, particularly those stationed abroad.
Created in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, USAID is the U.S. government’s primary foreign aid agency, tasked with fighting poverty, disease, and responding to crises worldwide. It operates in over 100 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. This sudden shift has raised questions about the future of U.S. humanitarian efforts and the global impact of these decisions.
What’s Next for USAID?
While USAID leadership has yet to release a long-term plan, many fear this could be the end of the agency as we know it. The move to place staff on administrative leave and freeze foreign aid could be a precursor to abolishing USAID as an independent agency entirely.
The broader implications for international development, humanitarian aid, and global stability remain unclear. However, one thing is certain: U.S. foreign aid is entering uncharted territory.