The Trump administration in a rather dramatic shift in U.S. foreign aid policy has ordered the withdrawal of nearly all staff of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
This decision which is to take effect from Friday just before midnight will virtually stop all critical humanitarian and developmental programs in over 130 countries worldwide.
Trump administration forces foreign aid programs to face immediate shutdown
USAID, which has long been very instrumental in the fight against hunger, education funding as well as addressing other major health crises, is regarded as the United States’ primary global aid agency. However, it was confirmed through an internal memo sent to the employees that all overseas direct hires had until 30 days to return home, while non-essential deemed contractors would be terminated effectively.
This decision came as a result of months of speculations which aligns with broader government cuts that are led by Trump’s returning appointees and billionaire Elon Musk’s cost-reduction initiatives. Well known for being vocal about eliminating projects he considers wasteful government spending, Musk reportedly celebrated this new move, claiming on X that USAID had been “fed into the wood.”
Commenting on the matter, USAID officials have warned that billions of dollars that have been pumped into ongoing projects such as the security assistance to Ukraine, the education for Afghan girls under Taliban rule, and the global health initiatives will be at risk of being lost. Additionally, the shipments of food and medical supplies that were already delivered to ports will remain in limbo as a result of the abrupt shutdown.
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The legal challenges and global impact
The sudden notice has sparked widespread concern from diplomats, lawmakers, and humanitarian organizations alike while leaving critics to argue the crucial role of the USAID in maintaining the U.S. Influence abroad and countering rivals like China and Russia. A senior USAID official in Leva Aile has stated that the agency’s work is not just about charity but also serves strategic national interests.
“Foreign aid strengthens alliances, supports global stability, and directly impacts U.S. security,” she said.
Although the administration has stated that a select few employees handling “mission-critical functions” are exempted, the American Foreign Service Association is preparing legal action in strong opposition to the move. The organization has stressed that though some government employees have legal protections, many local staff members working with USAID abroad will be facing immediate job losses with little to no recourse.
So far with the agency’s website offline and most of their senior staff dismissed, the people have only the government’s online notice thanking the employees for their services to work with. As the future of USAID remains uncertain there is a widespread fear that the ripple effect will be felt in time to come worldwide.