 "Trump aims to retain only 290 of 10,000 USAID employees, judge delays job cut plan")
The Trump administration plans to drastically reduce the workforce of the US Agency for International Development, retaining only about 290 of the more than 10,000 employees, The New York Times reported, citing three people with knowledge of the planned cuts to the workforce.
Two current USAID employees and one former senior USAID official told The Associated Press about the administration’s plan, which was presented to the remaining senior officials of the agency on Thursday.
This move will significantly downsize the agency. The reduction would diminish the agency’s capacity to fulfil its mission of promoting global development and humanitarian assistance.
The agency would run only a few life-saving programmes that the administration intends to continue for the time being. The future of 5,000 locally hired international staff abroad by USAID is also at stake. Trump’s harsh measures on the agency have also cast doubt on their future.
Judge delays job cut plan
A federal judge in Massachusetts has temporarily stopped the Trump administration’s plan to have federal employees leave their jobs.
The judge emphasised that the government could not move forward with the programme, and gave workers time until 11:59 pm tonight to decide whether to stop working and receive pay until September.
Later, the Office of Personnel Management extended the deadline to accept the resignation offer until Monday at 11:59 pm The administration announced on Thursday that more than 40,000 workers had already accepted.
At the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice, 168 employees were put on administrative leave. It is expected that Trump will shut down the office.
Since assuming office, Trump has taken harsh measures against the agency, significantly reducing its operations.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsMusk refers to USAID as a “criminal organisation.”
President Trump, in collaboration with Elon Musk, has taken steps to “dismantle the agency.” Musk heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the Trump administration.
Musk has referred to USAID as a “criminal organisation” and a “viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America.”
Trump freezes foreign aid
After taking charge, Trump ordered a near-total freeze on all foreign aid, which led to widespread disruptions in global humanitarian efforts.
This move affected programmes aimed at alleviating hunger, combating diseases, and providing emergency assistance worldwide.
The administration has also taken steps to merge USAID into the State Department.
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