Mass USAID Layoffs: Thousands of Staffers Put on Leave as US Jobs Slashed

On Sunday, the Trump administration announced that it was placing the majority of staff at the U.S. Agency for International Development on leave in all countries as well as eliminating 1,600 American jobs.

This is one of the biggest steps that has been taken so far towards the goal set by President Donald Trump, his cost-cutting partner Elon Musk, and their larger campaign of shrinking the federal government.

The administration was allowed to move forward with the plan on Friday by a federal judge. This included the removal of thousands of USAID workers from their positions in the United States and around the world. District Judge Carl Nichols refused employees’ requests in a lawsuit to temporarily block government plans.

The notices sent to USAID staff stated, “As from 11:59 pm EST on Sunday, February 23, 2020, all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave around the world, except for those who are responsible for core leadership and mission-critical functions, or specifically designated programs. “

In its notices, USAID informed staff that it was implementing a force reduction which would lead to the elimination of 2,00 jobs in the United States. Later the notice was revised and published on USAID’s website. The notice stated that USAID would be eliminating 1,600 jobs.

USAID and the State Department did not immediately respond to comments.

The Washington staffers who are on leave soon will lose their jobs.

Pete Marocco, the newly appointed deputy administrator for USAID by Donald Trump, has announced that he will retain 600 staffers mainly based in the U.S. for the moment. They are mainly there to assist USAID staff and families with travel arrangements abroad.

The move escalates a monthlong push to dismantle the agency, which has included closing its headquarters in Washington and shutting down thousands of aid and development programs worldwide following a freeze on all foreign assistance. A judge later temporarily blocked the funding freeze. Trump and Musk contend that USAID’s work is wasteful and furthers a liberal agenda.

The administration has claimed that it does not have the constitutional authority to eliminate independent programs or agencies funded by Congress, without prior approval from lawmakers.

The Trump Administration’s efforts are a reversal of decades-old U.S. policy that has held that development and assistance work abroad served national security by stabilizing economies and regions and building alliances.

AP viewed copies. The notices also revealed that hundreds of USAID contractors received termination letters with no names in the past week.

Workers have noted that USAID contractor notifications are not specific to the individual recipients and do not contain their names or positions. This may make it harder for workers who were dismissed to receive unemployment benefits.

In the second USAID lawsuit, another judge stated that the administration had continued to block foreign aid despite his temporary order to do so. He also said the administration must restore funding for all programs.

Nichols, a Trump appointee, ruled on Friday that USAID staffers can return home within 30 days if the government pays their travel costs.

The court was satisfied with Trump’s administration’s assurances to employees that they can continue to work in their jobs abroad even after 30 days if they decide to stay.

The foreign staff are concerned that they will not be able to return in a timely and safe manner due to the ongoing difficulties with funding. They may also have to sell their homes or care for sick relatives.

In an announcement published on Sunday, USAID said that it was “committed” to ensuring the safety of personnel overseas and pledged not to remove staffers from agency systems or support.