Trump’s Shocking Decision: A Ban on 2,000 USAID Employees

It is well-known that U.S. President Donald Trump recently halted aid provided to countries around the world through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The aid of Rs 182 crores (21 million dollars) to India, aimed at increasing voter turnout in the country, was also suspended. In this context, Trump has made another shocking decision: he has imposed a ban on 2,000 USAID employees.

According to a notice on the U.S. Agency for International Development’s website, the agency has announced forced leave for most of its employees worldwide, except for a few. The U.S. administration moved forward with this decision after a federal judge allowed the termination of government employees. The judge, Carl Nicholas of the U.S. District Court, rejected the employees' plea to halt the terminations.

Trump, who began his second term as President, has taken measures to reduce unnecessary government spending. As part of these efforts, he established the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was handed over to Tesla boss Elon Musk. Under Musk's leadership, the department has been taking steps to cut costs, including the recent termination of many USAID employees.

Currently, it is reported that more than 10,000 people are employed at USAID. Trump aims to reduce this number to fewer than 300 employees. Reports indicate that the Trump administration plans to lay off more than 9,700 employees, leaving only 294 working at the agency. Among them, 12 will be assigned to the Africa Bureau and eight to the Asia Bureau.