The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced on Tuesday that it would place its staff on administrative leave, affecting employees both in the US and abroad. The move, set to begin just before midnight on February 7, 2024, will impact all USAID direct hire personnel, excluding those involved in mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specific programs.
This action is part of a broader initiative led by former President Donald Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk to reduce the size of the US government. The decision has sparked protests from Democrats and human rights organizations, particularly as USAID is responsible for funding vital health and emergency programs in over 120 countries, including some of the world’s poorest regions.
Musk, a vocal critic of USAID, has previously called the agency a “viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists” and accused it of engaging in activities such as “rogue CIA work” and funding bioweapon research. Despite these unsubstantiated claims, Musk, who has close ties to Trump and significant US government contracts, reportedly cleared the move with the president.
USAID plays a key role in advancing US soft power, particularly in its competition with global rivals like China. The agency’s budget, exceeding $40 billion, is a fraction of the US government’s overall spending but represents a significant contribution to international development efforts. In 2023, major recipients of USAID aid included Ukraine, Ethiopia, and Jordan, with Ukraine receiving more than $16 billion in support amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The move to place staff on leave underscores a long-standing narrative within conservative and libertarian circles that US taxpayer money is being wasted on foreign aid while domestic issues are neglected. The future of USAID, an agency founded in 1961, remains uncertain as the battle over its funding and mission continues to unfold.