The Trump administration announced on Tuesday that nearly all U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) workers will be withdrawn from the field, effectively ending a six-decade mission that has funded education, tackled epidemics and fought global starvation.
A notice posted online detailed the decision, which is the latest in a series of actions that have drastically reduced the agency’s operations. The Associated Press reported that emails were also sent to USAID employees.
Bilal Hussein/AP Photo
Why It Matters
USAID, an independent agency established in 1961, has played a central role in U.S. foreign policy, providing humanitarian assistance in over 120 countries. The withdrawal will impact billions of dollars in aid projects, including security assistance for Ukraine and educational programs for Afghan girls under Taliban rule.
The move follows an earlier freeze on foreign aid. Political appointees from Trump’s first term and billionaire Elon Musk’s efficiency teams have labeled many USAID programs as wasteful, leading to widespread layoffs and funding cuts.
Critics argue that the dismantling of USAID could weaken U.S. influence abroad, ceding ground to geopolitical rivals such as China and Russia.
What to Know
The directive takes effect at midnight on Friday, giving direct hires working overseas 30 days to return home unless deemed essential. Contractors not classified as essential will also be terminated, according to the notice.
The decision to pull back USAID workers was one of several proposals considered to consolidate the agency into the State Department. Other options included shutting down smaller missions and reducing operations at larger ones.
Health initiatives, including those credited with ending polio and smallpox and an HIV/AIDS program that has saved over 20 million lives in Africa, have already been halted. Additionally, U.S.-funded teams that respond to global disease outbreaks, such as an Ebola outbreak in Uganda, have been dismantled.
The administration’s sudden freeze has also left hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of food and medical supplies sitting in ports waiting to be distributed.
Locally employed USAID staff, who are excluded from federal employee protections, will not be offered buyouts, making their futures uncertain. Meanwhile, foreign and civil service officers, who have legal protection from arbitrary dismissal, are being placed on leave.
The American Foreign Service Association, which represents U.S. diplomats, strongly opposed the move, saying it is preparing legal action to counter or halt it.
What People Are Saying
Musk posted to X on Monday: “We spent the weekend feeding USAID into the wood chipper.”
Republican Senator John Kennedy said on Tuesday before the notice was released: “To my friends who are upset, I would say – with respect – you know, call somebody who cares. They better get used to this.”
Philip Brenner, Emeritus Professor of International Relations and History at American University in Washington, D.C., previously told Newsweek: “The Trump administration’s attempt to shut down USAID is both illegal and unwise.”
What Happens Next
The administration’s decision is expected to face legal challenges, as USAID’s status as an independent agency is protected by congressional legislation. Lawmakers from both parties have argued that dismantling the agency without congressional approval may be unlawful.
While exceptions may be granted for certain staffers requiring more time to relocate, uncertainty remains as the agency’s personnel and leadership are being removed en masse. USAID’s website, which went offline over the weekend, returned on Tuesday night with only the recall notice posted.
The decision also raises logistical concerns, as staffers have been left scrambling to finalize paperwork, move households, and, in some cases, find ways to bring pets home amid the chaotic withdrawal process.
With the future of U.S. foreign aid in question, the long-term consequences of the agency’s dismantling remain unclear.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
