Desk Report: USAID, the U.S. government’s primary humanitarian agency, announced on Tuesday, February 4, that it would be placing its staff both in the U.S. and globally on administrative leave. This move comes as the agency prepares to recall its employees from overseas postings, effective shortly before midnight on February 7.
The leave will affect all USAID direct hire personnel, except those assigned to mission-critical functions, core leadership roles, and specially designated programs. A statement on the agency’s website, which reappeared after being offline over the weekend, expressed gratitude for the service of its employees.
This action is part of an ongoing drive by former President Donald Trump and his ally, billionaire Elon Musk, to significantly reduce the size and scope of the U.S. government, particularly in foreign aid. The decision has sparked widespread criticism, particularly among Democrats and human rights organizations, who have condemned the move as a dangerous blow to vital humanitarian work.
USAID, which funds health and emergency programs in over 120 countries, is a critical component of U.S. foreign policy and soft power. The agency plays a significant role in providing assistance to some of the world’s most impoverished regions, including Ukraine, Ethiopia, and Jordan, which are among its largest recipients of aid.
Musk, who has been a vocal critic of USAID, has previously described the agency as “a viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists” and accused it of engaging in rogue activities, such as conducting CIA work and funding bioweapon research. Musk, a major backer of Trump’s campaign, reportedly cleared the decision with the former president. The billionaire’s rhetoric has fueled conservative and libertarian narratives that U.S. foreign aid represents wasteful spending while domestic issues remain underfunded.
Founded in 1961, USAID has an annual budget of over $40 billion, a fraction of the U.S. government’s overall spending of nearly $7 trillion. The agency’s work includes combating extreme poverty and promoting democratic societies, while advancing U.S. security and prosperity. Despite the controversy, USAID remains a key player in U.S. efforts to wield influence globally, particularly in regions such as Ukraine, which has received significant financial support in light of the ongoing conflict.