Trump Moves to Slash Entire USAID Overseas Workforce
In a sweeping decision set to reshape American foreign aid, former U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a complete reduction of the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) international workforce by September 2025. The move will see all overseas USAID positions eliminated, with responsibility for foreign assistance programs shifting directly to the State Department.
Order Details and Implementation
The directive, signed off by State Secretary Marco Rubio, mandates the suspension of the entire USAID overseas staff. This includes foreign service officers, locally hired employees, and contractors operating in over 100 countries worldwide.
The transfer of duties from USAID to the Department of State began with an effective date set for June 15, 2025, under the guidelines of National Security Decision Directive 38. U.S. embassy chiefs have been tasked with preparing for these structural changes expected to be fully in place within four months.
Wide-Ranging Impact on Global Aid Efforts
This move will impact hundreds of personnel who have traditionally implemented vital development and humanitarian projects around the globe. Experts warn this could disrupt life-saving programs and destabilize assistance efforts in vulnerable regions.
Previously, a sharp budget and operational cut to USAID programs was implemented under the Department of Government Efficiency with Elon Musk’s leadership, which resulted in an 86% program reduction within just six weeks after Trump’s tenure began.
Warnings from Within
Internal communications reveal that senior USAID officials cautioned State Secretary Rubio about the serious repercussions of these cuts. Their predictions included:
- Over one million children potentially left untreated for malnutrition
- Up to 160,000 additional deaths related to malaria
- 200,000 new cases of childhood paralysis from polio across the coming decade
These projections highlight the potentially devastating humanitarian fallout resulting from the agency's workforce reduction and program elimination.
Trump’s Contradictory Statements
In an ironic twist, Trump himself acknowledged the harsh consequences of his administration's slashing of foreign aid. During a White House visit with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Trump described the aid cuts as "devastating." Responding to a question about the decision's impact on Africa, he said, "It’s devastating, and hopefully a lot of people are going to start spending a lot of money."
As the restructuring proceeds, observers are closely monitoring how the redistribution of USAID’s responsibilities to the State Department will affect the efficiency and reach of U.S. foreign assistance worldwide.
