• The Trump administration intends to drastically cut the USAID workforce from around 8,000 to fewer than 300 employees.
• Current staff and contractors, along with the remaining local employees abroad, will operate only a few essential aid programs.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that any continuing foreign aid must align with U.S. national interests.
• There are concerns regarding the legality of these actions, as many argue they require congressional approval.
• This decision is part of broader efforts by the Trump administration and Elon Musk to streamline government operations.

The Trump administration has unveiled a radical plan aimed at reducing the staffing of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to less than 300 employees, a move that could potentially reshape international aid efforts. According to a report from AP News, this plan was presented to senior USAID officials, revealing that the workforce, which currently comprises around 8,000 direct hires and contractors, would be drastically slashed.

Insiders from the agency, speaking under anonymity due to administration directives, indicated that the proposal could leave the agency with only a skeletal staff to maintain essential programs. An additional 5,000 locally hired employees abroad are also expected to play a role in overseeing the limited operations that the Trump administration has deemed necessary for the time being. However, it remains unclear if the cuts will be permanent or allow for a future reinstatement of staff pending the administration's review of aid programs, as reported by HuffPost.

During a visit to the Dominican Republic, Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that the U.S. government will continue to engage in foreign aid, but under the condition that it aligns with national interests. This initiative falls within a broader strategy purportedly influenced by Elon Musk, who is spearheading the Department of Government Efficiency, aiming to reevaluate and potentially downsize federal programs, as per India Times.

Critics of the plan, particularly Democratic lawmakers, have raised alarms, arguing that dismantling USAID's independent status and curtailing its functions would be illegal without congressional approval. They claim such sweeping changes are beyond the authority of the executive branch without legislative backing.

For more on this breaking story, visit the original articles from HuffPost, AP News, and India Times.