Trump Administration Cuts USAID Workforce Amid Legal Battle Over Foreign Aid
The Trump administration is eliminating USAID positions and placing most staff on leave, following a federal court ruling in a contentious effort to reduce the agency.
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Get StartedThis is the latest development in the administration's effort to significantly downsize USAID.
Trump officials will put 4,700 USAID employees on leave and eliminate 1,600 jobs
NPR·2M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The administration has approved exceptions to the freeze totaling $5.3 billion, mostly for security and counter-narcotics programs, according to a list of exemptions reviewed by Reuters that included limited humanitarian relief.
Trump administration is eliminating 2,000 USAID positions in US, notice says
USA TODAY·2M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The administration has approved exceptions to the freeze totaling $5.3 billion, mostly for security and counter-narcotics programs, according to a list of exemptions reviewed by Reuters that included limited humanitarian relief.
Trump administration eliminating 2,000 USAid positions in US, notice says
The Guardian·2M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.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 an effort to freeze all foreign assistance.
Trump administration moves ahead with firing 2,000 USAID workers, with thousands more put on leave
PBS NewsHour·2M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.The move intensifies a monthlong effort by the administration to dismantle the agency, which has already led to the closure of its Washington headquarters and the shutdown of numerous USAID and development programs worldwide.
Trump administration cuts 2,000 USAID jobs and places staff on leave
Straight Arrow News·2M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.Established in 1961, USAID was one of the first agencies Mr. Trump and Elon Musk — who is classified as a special government employee, but who the White House has claimed in a court filing has "no actual or formal authority to make government decisions" and is not an employee of the White House's Department Government Efficiency, or DOGE — in their efforts to reduce the size of the federal government.
CBS News·2M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The Trump administration intends on leaving fewer than 300 staffers on the job, out of the current 8,000 contractors and direct hires.
Trump admin to slash 1,600 USAID positions just before midnight
FOX News·2M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.Thousands of USAID workers will be left unemployed as the Trump administration continues to degrade the agency and merge it with the State Department.
Trump administration cuts 2,000 USAID jobs in global shakeup
Newsweek·2M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.This could cause serious hardships not only for the officials who are working for the American government abroad, but for the people whose benefit this agency has been to their benefit.
MEDIAite·2M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.The move escalates a monthlong administration assault on the agency that has closed its headquarters in Washington and shut down thousands of U.S. aid and development programs worldwide following an effort to freeze foreign assistance.
The Trump administration is firing 2,000 USAID workers and putting thousands of others on leave
NBC News·2M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The move escalates a monthlong administration assault on the agency that has closed its headquarters in Washington and shut down thousands of U.S. aid and development programs worldwide following an effort to freeze foreign assistance.
Trump fires 2,000 USAID workers
Boston Herald·2M
·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.The move escalates a monthlong administration assault on the agency that has closed its headquarters in Washington and shut down thousands of U.S. aid and development programs worldwide following an effort to freeze foreign assistance.
The Trump administration is firing 2,000 USAID workers and putting thousands of others on leave
CNBC·2M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.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 an effort to freeze all foreign assistance.
Trump administration is firing 2,000 USAID workers and putting thousands of others on leave
Boston Globe·2M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.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.
Thousands of USAID Staffers Being Put on Leave, US Jobs Cut
Newsmax·2M
·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.The agency intends to finance a voluntary return travel program for people overseas, the email said.
USAID to place most personnel on leave, lay off at least 1,600
Politico·2M
·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Summary
In a significant escalation of its cost-cutting measures, the Trump administration announced the elimination of 2,000 USAID positions and global administrative leave for most remaining staff. This follows a federal judge's ruling permitting these actions amid widespread criticism that it undermines international aid efforts. Supporters claim it's a necessary budget reduction. Concerns have been raised regarding the safety of overseas staff, to which the administration has responded by ensuring access to emergency communications. Meanwhile, a separate judge has blocked the freeze on foreign aid, ordering its restoration as legal battles continue.
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