The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced an unprecedented global furlough of nearly all its employees, following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. As of February 7, 2025, approximately 10,000 staff members will be placed on indefinite administrative leave, while two-thirds of them have been given 30 days to return to the United States. The move marks a significant shift in US foreign policy, as Trump reassesses the role of USAID and broader foreign aid initiatives.

President Trump’s executive order, signed in early January, mandated a 90-day freeze on all foreign aid programs. The sweeping measure has led to widespread uncertainty, layoffs, and the suspension of numerous development initiatives globally. USAID, which has been a cornerstone of US soft power and international diplomacy since its establishment in 1961, now faces an existential crisis under the current administration.

USAID has historically served as Washington’s primary agency for funding political projects abroad, administering billions of dollars in foreign aid under the guise of humanitarian assistance and development. However, critics-including members of Trump’s inner circle-have long viewed USAID as a vehicle for advancing liberal internationalist policies inconsistent with the administration’s America First agenda.

A notice posted on the USAID website on February 4 outlined the administration’s decision: “On Friday, February 7, all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs.”

While the notice does not specify which programs will remain operational, sources suggest that humanitarian relief efforts in conflict zones and emergency response........

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