Mass Layoffs Begin at USAID

The Trump administration has initiated massive layoffs at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), affecting thousands of employees. This was reported on the USAID website, according to TASS.

According to the document, as of 23:59 (08:59 Yerevan time on February 24), most agency employees worldwide will be placed on administrative leave. An exception will be made for USAID personnel responsible for critical tasks, special program implementation, and ensuring significant leadership.

“At the same time, USAID is starting a workforce reduction that will impact approximately 1,600 employees residing in the U.S.,” the statement read.

USAID employees stationed abroad have been offered to return to the U.S. at government expense and receive certain benefits. As The Washington Post clarifies, around 2,000 employees assigned to other countries could face layoffs.

The U.S. administration effectively halted USAID operations on February 3. Trump has appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the interim leader of the agency.

Measures against USAID were prompted by American entrepreneur Elon Musk, who had previously been appointed by Trump to improve government efficiency, reduce the bloated bureaucracy, and combat red tape.

On the night of January 25, Politico reported that Rubio ordered an immediate 90-day halt to funding for nearly all foreign aid programs, including those for USAID. It was noted that decisions on continuing, modifying, or terminating funding programs would be based on audits conducted under the leadership of U.S. diplomacy.

The actions of the Republican Trump administration towards USAID, which has been one of the tools of foreign policy and a channel for U.S. influence in other countries, has sparked a storm of protests among members of the Democratic Party. USAID is formally an independent agency but operates under the State Department's framework.

On February 6, reports indicated that the USAID workforce could be reduced from approximately 10,000-13,000 to just 294.