The U.S. Agency for International Development began massive employee furloughs Friday as the Trump administration moves to reduce the agency’s workforce from thousands to fewer than 300 employees.
Senior USAID officials learned of the dramatic downsizing during a Thursday briefing, according to three sources who spoke anonymously due to an administration order prohibiting staff from external communications. The cuts affect both U.S.-based workers and international programs.
Before Trump, the agency employed more than 8,000 direct hires and contractors, plus approximately 5,000 locally hired staff abroad with little oversight from Congress or the Executive branch.
Employees posted overseas received notice Thursday that they have 30 days to return to the United States, with government-funded relocation. Those staying beyond the deadline may have to cover their own expenses unless granted hardship waivers.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the changes during a Dominican Republic visit Thursday. “The U.S. government will continue providing foreign aid,” he said. “But it is going to be foreign aid that makes sense and is aligned with our national interest.”
The restructuring comes as billionaire Elon Musk, heading the Department of Government Efficiency, works with President Trump to greatly reduce federal spending. Since Trump’s January 20 inauguration, USAID has faced a funding freeze affecting most global programs, with nearly all workers placed on administrative leave or furlough.
Federal workers associations have filed legal challenges to contest the agency’s dismantling. Officials have not clarified whether the reduction to 300 employees is permanent or temporary pending program review.
The administration and Musk have discussed eliminating USAID’s independent status and moving remaining programs under State Department control, marking an unprecedented challenge to established foreign aid infrastructure.