By Emmanuel Nduka
President Donald Trump’s administration has officially initiated a massive reduction of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) workforce, with plans to lay off approximately 1,600 employees stationed in the United States.
The announcement, made by USAID on Sunday, reveals that all direct-hire personnel, except those handling mission-critical tasks, core leadership roles, or special programs, will be placed on administrative leave.
The agency is simultaneously launching a formal Reduction-in-Force (RIF) that will significantly reduce its staff.
In an unusual twist, USAID has committed to organizing flights for its overseas personnel, covering all travel expenses, and ensuring they maintain access to diplomatic channels until their return to their home countries.
This controversial move comes in the wake of strong comments from Elon Musk, who serves as the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency chief.
Musk previously described USAID as a “criminal organization” that “needs to die” and claimed that President Trump had agreed to shut down the agency. Musk’s department confirmed that they are already in the process of winding down USAID operations.
