According to a notice sent to US foreign aid agency employees Thursday night, Donald Trump’s administration is planning to keep only 600 essential workers in USAID.
Notice, combined with Reuters On Friday, an administration official allegedly said that 611 essential workers would be retained in USAID, with more than 10,000 employees globally.
Earlier, it was reported that the administration intended to maintain less than 300 staff Members in USAID.
USAID staff shortage is going to be implemented on Friday midnight, as indicated about the agency Website. But, the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) are trying to stop the case administration from abolishing USAID on Thursday, which in 1998 He was established as an independent agency approved by Congress. .
Unions claim that these measures are “unconstitutional and illegal” and that they have created a “global humanitarian crisis”. The legalism claims that the dissolution of the USAID exceeds Trump’s authority as president under the US Constitution.
The plaintiffs are looking for both a temporary and permanent judicial order to restore the financing of the agency, reopen its offices and prevent further steps to dissolve the agency.
According to a statement of the agency WebsiteStarting at 11.59 pm on Friday, February 7, “All USAID personnel have been on the global level in addition to mission -delicate functions, basic leadership and specially designated programs. The administrative will be kept on leave. “
It added that work is expected to continue till Thursday.
At the moment for USAID personnel posted outside the United States, it states that in harmony with the agency, missions and the Department of State, currently preparing a plan according to all applicable requirements and rules, ” Under which the agency will arrange and pay for the United States within 30 days.
It added that “the agency will consider personal or family problems, mobility or safety concerns, or other reasons for the case and will consider the extension of the journey.”
On Friday morning, Trump blew up the agency on social media, State: “USAID is making the radical leftist crazy, and they can’t do anything about it because the way in which the money is spent is much more fraudulent, absolutely incredible.”
He added: “Corruption is at the level that is rarely seen first. Stop it!”
Up to 2023, Congress research service The information that USAID, which distributes humanitarian aid globally, hires more than 10,000 people worldwide. Almost two -thirds of its manpower are abroad.
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This year, the agency provided more than $ 40 billion in financing, providing assistance to 130 countries. In addition, in 2024, USAID provided 42 % of all humanitarian aid received by the United Nations.
In front of the agency, Trump’s widespread cutbacks have promoted and disrupted the global aid system. This deduction is part of Trump’s “US First” policy that his administration is implementing. And reduce federal spending.
Sources told the Guardian that in February, in February, the Trump administration removed two top security officials in USAID when they had access to sensitive data to members of the Musk Dodge team and to limited areas of the building. Tried to stop access.
On Monday, the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced that he would be the acting administrator of the agency when employees closed himself from the agency’s headquarters in Washington DC. Meanwhile, the White House confirmed plans to merge USAID into the State Department.
