The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that more than 4,200 direct hires deemed non-essential will be placed on administrative leave starting 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday, according to an internal email from the Office of the Administrator reviewed by CBS News.
The notification impacts a significant portion of USAID’s workforce, which employs around 10,000 personnel globally, including approximately 4,800 direct hires stationed at both foreign and domestic posts.
Who Is Affected by the Workforce Reduction?
- Approximately 2,000 domestic staff stationed across the United States will face a reduction in force.
- USAID will also resume voluntary Agency-funded return travel for affected overseas employees.
- Only 611 workers have been deemed essential and will remain on duty following an earlier attempt to place staff on leave.
Legal Challenges and Court Decisions
The decision to place USAID employees on leave follows a legal battle involving two unions representing USAID workers. Initially, U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols issued a temporary order to reinstate 2,100 employees and blocked the agency from placing another 2,000 on leave. However, on Friday, Judge Nichols declined to extend the temporary stay.
In his ruling, Nichols argued:
“Plaintiffs have presented no irreparable harm they or their members are imminently likely to suffer from the hypothetical future dissolution of USAID.”
Despite this setback for unions, a separate lawsuit filed by nonprofit organizations and contractors has successfully halted the suspension of foreign aid, grants, and contracts already appropriated by Congress while legal proceedings continue.
USAID’s Response: Coordination Support Team
In an effort to address growing concerns, USAID has formed a Coordination Support Team led by:
- Joel Borkert, Acting Chief of Staff
- Marcus Thornton, Member of the Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff
The team will focus on:
- Facilitating safe returns for overseas personnel and their families
- Maintaining humanitarian assistance programs that have received waivers
- Addressing logistical challenges for operations impacted by the workforce reduction
Potential Merger with State Department
According to three U.S. officials, former President Donald Trump has plans to merge USAID with the State Department and significantly reduce both its staff and budget. This restructuring effort aligns with Trump’s broader goal of reducing the size of the federal government.
Adding to the controversy, Elon Musk—classified as a special government employee—has been informally linked to discussions around government efficiency despite having “no actual or formal authority to make government decisions,” according to a White House court filing.
