Trump administration to remove or suspend 1600 USAID workers

President John F. Kennedy established USAID in 1961, and it now allocates almost half of the $72 billion U.S. foreign aid budget in 2023, making it the largest humanitarian aid giver globally.

This move comes after President Donald Trump’s earlier attempt to fire thousands of USAID employees, which faced legal hurdles. Although a federal judge had initially blocked the administration from abolishing the agency, the judge ruled on Friday that the pause would not last indefinitely. USAID’s website said in its notice, “For overseas personnel, USAID intends a voluntary agency-funded return travel program and other benefits.”

Possible reasons of removing USAID workers

By reducing staff, the administration may have sought to streamline government processes and minimize spending.The United States may have been revising its worldwide strategy, concentrating more on private-sector partnerships, or changing its approach to international aid, which might have required a reduction in staff or a different set of capabilities.

Some might interpret this as the administration attempting to reform USAID by replacing career staff with individuals who align with its political or policy objectives.The administration can contend that reorganizing USAID will increase its effectiveness and prepare it to provide aid in accordance with new policies or goals.

Elon musk sees USAID as “criminal organization”

Billionaire Elon Musk, leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been pushing to significantly reduce USAID’s influence, viewing it as a key tool of U.S. “soft power” to gain influence abroad and manage American foreign assistance.

Musk has declared that USAID should “die” after reports emerged that two top security officials at the agency were placed on leave for refusing his representatives access to classified materials.

Along with other Trump allies, Musk has labeled USAID a “criminal organization” and a “viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America.”

He has accused the agency of riddling itself with waste, fraud, and pursuing a liberal ideological agenda that he believes exceeds its intended mission.

However, former USAID officials and humanitarian workers have strongly criticized the move and have warned  that dismantling the agency could harm millions of vulnerable people worldwide and seriously weaken the United States’ soft power.

History of USAID

President John F. Kennedy founded USAID (United States Agency for International Development) in 1961 with the goals of advancing global development and offering humanitarian assistance.

The United States established USAID in response to the growing demand to alleviate poverty, promote global economic development, and assist newly independent nations in Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

Early on, USAID concentrated on giving nations rebuilding after World War II financial and technical support.

Its efforts in the 1960s and 1970s focused on poverty alleviation, agricultural development, and infrastructure. USAID’s priorities have changed over the years to meet the needs of the world, including health programs like combating HIV/AIDS, advancing democracy, and tackling climate change.

The United States of America is the world’s greatest humanitarian aid contributor, with operations in over 100 countries. Nearly half of its $72 billion budget for 2023 went toward international aid initiatives.

USAID has been criticized throughout its existence, with some claiming that it uses aid as a cover to advance American political agendas. All the same, it continues to be an essential part of U.S. foreign policy and continues to save millions of lives worldwide.