Trump Administration Dismisses 1,600 USAID Employees

Washington, D.C. – Soon after taking office as the President of the United States, Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending aid provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for 90 days. Following this move, the administration has now issued orders to terminate 1,600 USAID employees, effective Sunday.

According to an announcement on the USAID website released at midnight on Sunday, all employees working abroad under the agency have been placed on long-term paid leave. The statement further confirmed that, apart from emergency personnel, all USAID staff have been put on paid leave. The decision is part of a larger effort to downsize the workforce, leading to the dismissal of 1,600 employees.

Speculation had been growing that Trump would take action against USAID employees. In response, government employee unions took the matter to court. However, a ruling delivered on Friday favored the government, paving the way for the latest round of dismissals. Consequently, the termination orders were issued late Sunday night.