The US agency for international development ( USAID ) announced on Sunday that 2, 000 positions had been eliminated and that the majority of the agency’s remaining employees had been placed on administrative leave around the world. The action comes in response to a federal court decision that allowed the administration to immediately terminate the employment of hundreds of USAID employees, both at home and abroad.
US city determine Carl Nichols rejected requests to extend a temporary remain on the government’s program in a lawsuit filed by USAID workers, properly greenlighting the administration’s decision. The standard notices, reviewed by The Associated Press, instructed workers that as of 11: 59 pm EST on Sunday, all clear get personnel, except for those handling mission-critical functions, key leadership roles, or specifically designated programs, may be placed on administrative leave.
This most recent motion is a part of the administration’s wider plan to reduce USAID operations, which has already resulted in the closing of its Washington headquarters and the suspension of thousands of aid and development initiatives around the world.
President Donald Trump and his cost-cutting captain, Elon Musk, have repeatedly criticised international assistance plans, claiming they are useless and aligned with a progressive agenda.
Thousands of USAID companies reportedly received private kind words of cancellation over the weekend in addition to the job cuts and administrative left orders. The lack of certain brands or work facts could impede efforts for disturbed workers to apply for unemployment benefits, according to copies of the letters obtained by AP.
A different judge has issued a temporary order preventing the withholding of funds as the administration continues to refine USAID. In a separate federal lawsuit challenging the freeze on foreign aid, a different judge has issued a temporary order preventing this action. Last week, the court ruled that the administration must restore at least some of the funding for international programs.
International aid organizations and lawmakers have voiced strong opposition to the Trump administration’s aggressive overhaul of USAID, who fear that the sudden demise of funding and personnel could have a negative impact on international humanitarian efforts.
