Trump increases the number of USAID staff retained even as he advocates for the agency's closure
Originally planning to retain around 300 employees, the total number has now increased to 600.
TroibNews 
On Friday, President Donald Trump expressed his strong support for shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development, declaring, “CLOSE IT DOWN!” in a post on Truth Social. He accused the agency of fraudulent spending and stated that there’s nothing “the radical left” can do about it.
Simultaneously, the administration has increased its plans for the number of USAID staff to retain, raising the figure from 300 to 600 out of more than 10,000. This information was shared by three individuals who spoke anonymously to discuss the plans.
Most of those who will continue with the agency are involved in departments that provide humanitarian assistance and manage global health programs, including efforts to combat Ebola outbreaks, according to one source familiar with the Trump administration's intentions for USAID.
Additionally, personnel working with countries like Haiti and Ukraine are also among those who will be retained, as noted by one of the sources.
Meanwhile, thousands of former agency employees will remain on paid leave indefinitely while the Trump administration works to downsize and reorganize foreign aid in alignment with its "America First" strategy.
Notably, the administration has decided not to retain staff in departments that focus on democracy, human rights and governance, inclusive growth, partnerships and innovation, or in the Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization.
The White House and some Republican members of Congress have cited funding for LGBTQ+ cultural projects as justification for closing the agency.
In response, the American Foreign Service Association, representing foreign service officers, and the American Federation of Government Employees, a union for civil servants, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration late Thursday. They argue that the president cannot unilaterally shut down the agency.
Democrats in Congress have also voiced their objections to the administration's decisions.
Next week, the House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on USAID's situation, led by Elon Musk, who heads Trump’s unofficial Department of Government Efficiency. The hearing, announced by Chair Brian Mast on Thursday night, is titled “The USAID Betrayal” and will explore Republican concerns regarding U.S. foreign aid policies.
The State Department has not provided a prompt response regarding the details of USAID’s remaining staff and areas of focus.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
Simultaneously, the administration has increased its plans for the number of USAID staff to retain, raising the figure from 300 to 600 out of more than 10,000. This information was shared by three individuals who spoke anonymously to discuss the plans.
Most of those who will continue with the agency are involved in departments that provide humanitarian assistance and manage global health programs, including efforts to combat Ebola outbreaks, according to one source familiar with the Trump administration's intentions for USAID.
Additionally, personnel working with countries like Haiti and Ukraine are also among those who will be retained, as noted by one of the sources.
Meanwhile, thousands of former agency employees will remain on paid leave indefinitely while the Trump administration works to downsize and reorganize foreign aid in alignment with its "America First" strategy.
Notably, the administration has decided not to retain staff in departments that focus on democracy, human rights and governance, inclusive growth, partnerships and innovation, or in the Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization.
The White House and some Republican members of Congress have cited funding for LGBTQ+ cultural projects as justification for closing the agency.
In response, the American Foreign Service Association, representing foreign service officers, and the American Federation of Government Employees, a union for civil servants, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration late Thursday. They argue that the president cannot unilaterally shut down the agency.
Democrats in Congress have also voiced their objections to the administration's decisions.
Next week, the House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on USAID's situation, led by Elon Musk, who heads Trump’s unofficial Department of Government Efficiency. The hearing, announced by Chair Brian Mast on Thursday night, is titled “The USAID Betrayal” and will explore Republican concerns regarding U.S. foreign aid policies.
The State Department has not provided a prompt response regarding the details of USAID’s remaining staff and areas of focus.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
