Trump Admin to Keep 611 USAID Essential Workers, as Unions File Suit

What Happened?

The Trump administration plans to keep 611 USAID employees after thousands of staffers were told they would be placed on leave by Friday night.

According to reports, employees were sent a notice late Thursday that outlined the 611 staffers as essential workers for the U.S. Agency for International Development.

President Donald Trump and his staff reportedly had planned to keep fewer than 300 staffers out of the agency's worldwide total of more than 10,000.

In a USAID shared statement online, all other USAID direct hire personnel were informed of being placed on administrative leave globally.

These sweeping reduction measures by the Trump administration are being challenged by federal unions who have deemed the actions ‘unconstitutional' and have created a 'global humanitarian crisis.'

A lawsuit was filed Thursday by The American Foreign Service Association that argued President Trump could not unilaterally close down the agency.

Established in 1924, AFSA is a professional association and an exclusive representative for the U.S. Foreign Service that represents close to 16,800 foreign service members.

While the USAID is expected to remain a humanitarian aid entity, the Trump administration announced it will reportedly be merged into the State Department.

President Trump appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio as acting USAID director during this process.

The process of dismantling the USAID comes after Trump issued an executive order for a 90-day pause on almost all foreign assistance worldwide.

Why it Matters

Billionaire Elon Musk, co-leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), had reportedly said he and Trump both agreed that USAID should be shut down.

The USAID, established in 1961, oversees the humanitarian efforts of roughly 120 countries globally.

Secretary of State Rubio has stated that the USAID has a history of ignoring, 'U.S. tax dollars should further U.S. national interests.'

Foreign aid from the U.S., including USAID, accounts for less than 1% of the federal budget.

Congressional approval would still be required to shut down the agency.

However, Trump's directive of layoffs and furloughs may be within reason if the USAID's operating staff is mainly downsized and merged versus 100% eliminated.

House Speaker Mike Johnson recently defended Elon Musk's role with DOGE and his efforts to cut government spending.

'The executive branch of government in our system has the right to evaluate how executive branch agencies are operating,' Johnson said in a statement. 'It's not a power grab.'

He added that the executive branch is acting 'within the scope of their authority' to find ways to address the nation's debt deficit.

Some companies that rely on USAID contracts are still reportedly at risk of imminent bankruptcy.

How it Affects You

The conclusion may ultimately involve the higher courts to decide if Trump's actions are within constitutional merit.

Most of the government has been operating under a temporary funding measure that expires in March.

Republicans on Capitol Hill have been pressured to answer if the president's recent moves are in fact legal.

This could all set up a showdown when it's time to vote on key bipartisan measures.