19 sources·Politics

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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  1. Trump administration is eliminating 2,000 USAID positions in US, notice says

    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 TODAYUSA TODAY·2M
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    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  2. Trump administration eliminating 2,000 USAid positions in US, notice says

    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 GuardianThe Guardian·2M
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    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
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    Leans Left
    This outlet slightly leans left.
  3. Trump administration moves ahead with firing 2,000 USAID workers, with thousands more put on leave

    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 NewsHourPBS NewsHour·2M
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    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Leans Left
    This outlet slightly leans left.
  4. Trump administration cuts 2,000 USAID jobs and places staff on leave

    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 NewsStraight Arrow News·2M
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    Center
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  5. USAID will place thousands on administrative leave after judge lifts block on Trump administration's plan

    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.

    USAID will place thousands on administrative leave after judge lifts block on Trump administration's plan

    CBS NewsCBS News·2M
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    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  6. Trump admin to slash 1,600 USAID positions just before midnight

    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 NewsFOX News·2M
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    Leans Right
    This outlet slightly leans right.
  7. Trump administration cuts 2,000 USAID jobs in global shakeup

    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

    NewsweekNewsweek·2M
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    ·
    Center
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  8. The Trump administration is firing 2,000 USAID workers and putting thousands of others on leave

    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 NewsNBC News·2M
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    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  9. Trump fires 2,000 USAID workers

    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 HeraldBoston Herald·2M
    Mostly Reliable
    This source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.
    ·
    Leans Right
    This outlet slightly leans right.
  10. The Trump administration is firing 2,000 USAID workers and putting thousands of others on leave

    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

    CNBCCNBC·2M
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  11. Trump administration is firing 2,000 USAID workers and putting thousands of others on leave

    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 GlobeBoston Globe·2M
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    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Leans Left
    This outlet slightly leans left.
  12. Thousands of USAID Staffers Being Put on Leave, US Jobs Cut

    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

    NewsmaxNewsmax·2M
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    Right
    This outlet favors right-wing views.
  13. USAID to place most personnel on leave, lay off at least 1,600

    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

    PoliticoPolitico·2M
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    ·
    Center
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  1. NPR
  2. USA TODAY
  3. The Guardian
  4. PBS NewsHour
  5. Straight Arrow News
  6. CBS News
  7. FOX News
  8. Newsweek
  9. MEDIAite
  10. NBC News
  11. Boston Herald
  12. CNBC
  13. Boston Globe
  14. Newsmax
  15. Politico

Updated: Feb 23rd, 2025, 10:10 PM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

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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Trump Administration Cuts USAID Workforce Amid Legal Battle Over Foreign Aid - Pano News