The Trump administration said on Sunday that it is cutting 2,000 U.S.-based positions at the U.S. Agency for International Development, while also putting a majority of global employees at the agency on leave.

The move from President Donald Trump was made just days after U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols denied a request from two labor unions to block further cuts at USAID. In his decision, Nichols found the unions’ claims of alleged harm that could be caused by any firings “far more minimal than it initially appeared.”

Notices were sent out to USAID employees who were placed on leave, informing them of the decision while also specifying a few exceptions to the order.

“As of 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 23, 2025, all USAID direct hire personnel, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and/or specially designated programs, will be placed on administrative leave globally,” the notices said, according to the Associated Press.

That will affect thousands of global USAID employees, while the cuts for U.S.-based USAID workers are separate and will affect 2,000 employees.

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The move from the Trump administration follows through on its goal of placing the majority of USAID employees on administrative leave and keeping only 294 “essential staff” members out of over 10,000 employees worldwide.

Its broader goal is to dismantle the organization and incorporate its functions into the State Department.



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