Trump administration moves to fire or put on leave nearly all USAID workers
The administration of United States President Donald Trump is moving to fire or place on leave nearly all employees of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
All USAID employees, with the exception of “designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and/or specially designated programs”, will be placed on “administrative leave globally” from 11:59pm EST on Sunday (04:59 GMT Monday), the aid agency said in a notice on its website.
The process of laying off about 1,600 US-based personnel will take place concurrently, according to the notice.
“Individuals that are impacted will receive specific notifications on February 23, 2025, with further instructions and information about their benefits and rights,” the notice said.
“Designated essential personnel who are expected to continue working will be informed by Agency leadership February 23, 2025, by 5 pm EST [22:00 GMT].”
An earlier notice sent to employees had said about 2,000 US-based jobs would be eliminated.
