Nearly all employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have been directed to go on administrative leave this Friday night, with overseas missions ordered to close by the end of the week. The directive was announced Tuesday, sparking concerns over the agency’s future and its global humanitarian efforts.
A statement on USAID’s website confirmed that all “direct-hire personnel” will be placed on leave, except those involved in “mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs.” Staff identified for exemption will be notified by Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, according to the agency’s internal communications. Further instructions will be provided on how employees can request exceptions.
The State Department is working with USAID on a plan to arrange and pay for the return travel of overseas personnel within 30 days. Personal service contractor (PSC) and independent service contractor (ISC) contracts deemed non-essential will be terminated. The agency also stated that case-by-case extensions for return travel may be granted, depending on personal hardships, mobility, or safety concerns.
Emails sent to USAID headquarters staff in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday night informed them that they had been placed on paid administrative leave. Staff were instructed to remain available by phone and email but were prohibited from entering agency buildings. These measures extend to USAID offices in nearby Springfield and Leesburg, Virginia.
Sources revealed that Deputy Administrator Pete Marocco met with State Department officials on Tuesday, issuing a directive to evacuate all USAID personnel worldwide by Friday. According to those familiar with the meeting, Marocco warned that if staff were not withdrawn in time, the U.S. military would intervene to carry out the evacuation.
USAID employs over 10,000 workers, with approximately two-thirds stationed overseas across more than 60 missions. The agency is a vital component of U.S. foreign policy, delivering humanitarian aid, disaster relief, health services, and governance programs to over 100 countries. In fiscal year 2023, USAID managed over $40 billion in funding, representing less than 1% of the federal budget.
However, the Trump administration, with support from allies like Elon Musk, has targeted USAID for significant cutbacks. Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has called for the agency’s closure, arguing it is inefficient and plagued by fraud. During a press briefing on Tuesday, President Trump echoed Musk’s sentiments. “Look at all the fraud that he’s found,” Trump said. “Funding has gone to all sorts of groups that shouldn’t deserve to get any money.”
When asked whether he planned to wind down the agency entirely, Trump replied, “It sounds like it,” further fueling speculation about the agency’s future. Critics have expressed alarm, warning that the shutdown of USAID operations could have dire consequences for millions of people reliant on its programs.
Former USAID Global Health Director Dr. Atul Gawande emphasized the risks posed by halting critical aid efforts. “We’re talking about disaster relief workers, health workers, and people protecting America by stopping disease outbreaks abroad,” Gawande said. “There are 20 million people in the global HIV program who depend on life-saving medication. Monitoring for diseases like bird flu has been turned off in 49 countries.”
Key recipients of USAID assistance include Ukraine, Ethiopia, and Jordan. Much of the funding supports programs aimed at strengthening democratic governance, healthcare, and emergency food supplies. Analysts warn that a prolonged suspension of these services could destabilize vulnerable regions and erode U.S. influence abroad.
National security experts have also voiced concerns. “When you pull back from global engagement, you’re essentially ceding influence to countries like China and Russia,” said Dr. James McGowan, a foreign policy analyst. “This isn’t just about cutting costs; it’s about America’s leadership on the world stage.”
USAID’s staff are facing logistical challenges as they prepare for the sudden recall. Many foreign service officers, who often relocate with their families for years at a time, are now scrambling to find new housing, arrange school transfers for their children, and move their belongings. The lack of clarity on future assignments has left employees anxious.
“It’s chaos,” said one anonymous employee. “We’re being told to pack up and leave within days, and no one knows what’s going to happen next.”
The shutdown has intensified political debate in Washington. While the administration frames the move as part of a broader effort to streamline government operations, opponents argue that dismantling USAID undermines key foreign policy objectives. Advocacy groups and lawmakers are expected to challenge the decision in the coming weeks.
For now, the future of USAID hangs in the balance. With billions of dollars in aid programs at stake and millions of lives affected, the agency faces an uncertain path forward.
