Starting Friday night, thousands of USAID staff members will be placed on leave, according to a statement from the agency. This decision affects all direct-hire employees, with exceptions for those in mission-critical roles, key leadership positions, and designated programs.

The move is part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to reduce government spending. Since taking office, Trump has criticized USAID for what he views as wasteful spending and has called for the agency to align more closely with his administration’s priorities.

This decision follows Trump’s previous freeze on foreign assistance, which has disrupted international aid, impacting countries like Syria and Afghanistan. In a statement on Tuesday, USAID confirmed it would work with the Department of State to arrange and fund the return travel of personnel posted abroad. The agency expects to complete these arrangements within the month.

Employees affected by this order will be notified by 3:00 PM EDT (8:00 PM GMT) on Thursday if their roles are considered exceptions. The agency’s statement concluded with a note of appreciation: “Thank you for your service.”

USAID, which provides aid to over 100 countries, employs around 10,000 people globally. Two-thirds of its workforce is stationed overseas, as reported by the Congressional Research Service. It remains unclear how personnel in conflict zones will be safely withdrawn.

The Trump administration has been pushing for deeper cuts to government programs, and USAID has become a focal point of these efforts. Earlier this week, Marco Rubio, Trump’s top diplomat, assumed the role of acting head of USAID as part of an alleged plan to merge the agency with the State Department. This move has raised legal concerns, with Democratic lawmakers questioning the administration’s authority to shut down programs without Congressional approval.

What is USAID and why are these cuts happening?

USAID plays a key role in providing humanitarian aid worldwide, with activities ranging from sending prosthetic limbs to injured soldiers in Ukraine, to clearing landmines and fighting the spread of diseases like Ebola in Africa. However, some, including billionaire Elon Musk, have called for the agency’s closure, claiming it is “beyond repair.”

The potential shutdown of USAID has sparked strong opposition, with critics arguing that it would devastate vulnerable populations globally. Democrats, in particular, have criticized the move, calling USAID a critical foreign policy tool. Senator Andy Kim, a former USAID employee, warned that gutting the agency would weaken America’s global influence and security.

Founded in 1961, USAID operates in over 60 countries and manages billions in aid funding. In fiscal year 2023, the agency handled over $40 billion in resources, according to the Congressional Research Service.