The Trump administration’s decision to recall thousands of USAID employees stationed overseas is expected to come with a hefty price tag, potentially costing up to $50 million, according to internal estimates shared with ABC News.
The recall will affect approximately 1,800 USAID employees and nearly 3,000 of their family members, all of whom have been ordered to return to the United States within the next 30 days. While exceptions may be granted for health or family reasons, sources suggest that the cost of the operation could vary depending on how the recall process unfolds.
The full extent of the savings the administration anticipates from reducing USAID operations abroad remains unclear. Despite inquiries, the U.S. State Department has yet to provide comment on the matter.
This move marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign assistance and personnel strategy, but its long-term financial and operational impacts are still to be fully determined.
