Trump Puts USAID Personnel On Paid Leave, Plans To Cut 1,600 Posts In Department Amid Allegations Of Funding India's 'Voter Turnout'

The administration of US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday (23 February) that it would be putting all staff at the foreign aid agency USAID, barring leaders and crucial staff globally, on paid administrative leave, NDTV reported. Additionally, it would be cutting 1,600 positions within the US.

The matter gained attention after US President Donald Trump alleged that $21 million had been allocated for "voter turnout" in India by USAID. Recently, Trump reiterated that the Biden administration allocated $18 million for India's elections.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced on its website that all direct hire personnel, barring essential workers, will be placed on leave just before midnight on Sunday, US Eastern Time. The agency also noted that it is starting to enforce a "Reduction-in-Force", which will impact around 1,600 USAID staff members in the US.

A previous announcement reviewed by Reuters and delivered to employees communicated that approximately 2,000 positions in the US would be cut.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk, has initiated a move to drastically reduce the resources of USAID, the principal conduit for American foreign aid. This agency is a vital instrument of US "soft power", utilised for gaining influence overseas.

The White House has yet to provide an immediate response to the comment request.

This comes after a federal judge on Friday authorised the Trump administration to place thousands of USAID employees on leave, marking a defeat for government employee unions. These unions are involved in a lawsuit, alleging that this move is an attempt to disassemble the organisation.

A pair of ex-senior officials from USAID have projected that a significant portion of the approximately 4,600 USAID employees, including US Civil Service and Foreign Service staff, would be put on administrative leave.