The Trump administration has announced plans to reduce the number of USAID staff from over 10,000 to 294, according to sources from Reuters. The move has sparked protests and a lawsuit, raising concerns about the impact on global humanitarian programs.
The decision, effective as of midnight on Friday, has left hundreds of internal contractors laid off and vital programs in limbo. Among the affected programs is PEPFAR, the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which relies heavily on USAID funding.
Protesters gathered outside the U.S. State Department on Thursday, voicing their opposition to the cuts. Charles King, CEO of Housing Works, a non-profit dedicated to combating AIDS and homelessness, stated that the group was blocking an intersection to demand continued funding for PEPFAR.
The American Federation of Government Employees and the American Foreign Service Association filed a lawsuit on Thursday, seeking to block the shutdown of USAID, claiming it is unconstitutional and illegal and causing a global humanitarian crisis.
The Trump administration has stated its intention to merge USAID with the State Department, but this requires congressional approval. USAID provided aid to approximately 130 countries in 2023, many of which are affected by conflict and poverty.