Federal Employees Sue Over Cuts to U.S. Aid Agency
Late Thursday, various federal worker unions initiated legal action against the Trump administration, arguing that it is effectively dismantling the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
This lawsuit, brought forth by the American Foreign Service Association and the American Federation of Government Employees, arrives in response to reports of the administration’s aggressive moves, including freezing funding and placing a majority of USAID staff on leave or furlough.
The plaintiffs assert that President Trump does not have the authority to close down an agency established by congressional law. They are requesting that the Washington federal court mandate the reopening of USAID offices, the reinstatement of employees, and the restoration of funding.
In a separate but concurrent development, the administration unveiled a strategy on Thursday aimed at drastically reducing the number of staff involved in U.S. aid initiatives across the globe.
Sources within USAID revealed that plans could potentially leave fewer than 300 employees in operation from a workforce that includes around 8,000 direct hires and contractors. This number creates significant challenges for maintaining life-saving programs that the administration claims will continue for the near future.
Furthermore, there are approximately 5,000 locally hired international staff members working overseas who are also impacted by these cuts.
It remains uncertain if the proposed reduction to 300 employees is a temporary situation or if it may become permanent, which could affect the likelihood of bringing more staff back once the administration completes its assessment of which programs are deemed essential to maintain.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking during a visit to the Dominican Republic, assured the public that the U.S. would keep engaging in foreign aid efforts, albeit in a manner that aligns closely with national interests.
“It is going to be foreign aid that makes sense,” he added in remarks to journalists.
The administration, alongside billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who heads a cost-cutting initiative, has reportedly singled out USAID for extensive reductions, signaling a bold challenge to the framework of federal agencies and their operations.
Following President Trump’s inauguration on January 20, a comprehensive funding freeze has resulted in the suspension of virtually all USAID initiatives worldwide, placing the majority of its workforce on administrative leave or furlough.
Musk and Trump have even hinted at the possibility of disbanding USAID as a separate agency, with surviving programs potentially being absorbed into the State Department.
Democratic legislators and advocates have voiced strong opposition to these moves, labeling them illegal in the absence of congressional authorization.
