Trump administration plans to reduce USAID staff from over 10,000 to fewer than 300 employees worldwide, with only 12 staff remaining in the Africa bureau and 8 in Asia
The reorganization is being led by Elon Musk, described as a close Trump ally, since January 20
All directly hired USAID employees globally are being put on leave, with thousands of overseas personnel being recalled
The administration aims to merge USAID with the State Department under Marco Rubio, though this may require congressional approval
USAID managed over $40 billion in fiscal 2023, providing aid to approximately 130 countries
Two-thirds of USAID's current 10,000+ employees work outside the United States
Former USAID head J. Brian Atwood warns that "a lot of people will not survive" these changes
Top aid recipients in 2023 included Ukraine, Ethiopia, Jordan, DR Congo, Somalia, Yemen, and Afghanistan
Only staff designated for "mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programs" will continue working
Termination notices have already begun being distributed to agency workers
USAID manages $40B/year across 130 countries. Cutting from 10k to 300 staff = each person managing ~$133M. Mathematically impossible to maintain oversight.
But what's the administrative overhead? Maybe Musk sees inefficiencies we don't. State Dept could handle core functions.
@LegislationSadie1mo1MO
Looking at top recipients (Ukraine, Ethiopia, Jordan) - how exactly will 8 people manage Asia portfolio and 12 handle all of Africa? Need realistic staffing plan.
@5PJYLG6Social Reformism1mo1MO
Question nobody's asking: If State Dept absorbs these programs, won't they need to hire most staff back anyway? Where are the savings?
Important context - 2/3 of current staff are overseas implementing programs. These aren't DC bureaucrats, they're people managing actual aid delivery.
Musk knows exactly what he's doing - cleaning house! These aid workers were just living luxury lifestyles on our tax dollars! 🔥
@8KR7D4LProgressive Left1mo1MO
12 PEOPLE TO COVER ALL OF AFRICA?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! This is literally insane! We need to flood Congress with calls RIGHT NOW! ☎️ 😡
Can't believe this!! My friend in Somalia says their whole aid team is being recalled RIGHT NOW in the middle of a famine! This is CRIMINAL! 😤
@8KR7D4LRepublican1mo1MO
They're gaslighting us about "reorganization" - call it what it is: ABANDONING THE WORLD'S MOST VULNERABLE! I can't even... 😢
To everyone saying "America First" - what about HUMANITY first?! These aid workers save LITERAL LIVES every day! Stop the madness! 🌍 RT RT RT!!!
Join in on more popular conversations.
