Staff members at the U.S. Agency for International Development are now on their “final mission,” according to an email sent by the agency’s brand-new deputy administrator of policy and programs, Jeremy Lewin, who stated that USAID’s entire workforce will be slashed by either July 1 or Sept. 2, 2025.
The messages, which were sent to USAID personnel en masse and seen by Devex, came the same day the State Department delivered a notification to Congress that outlined the reorganization — and ultimate closure — of USAID.
“The State Department intends to assume responsibility for many of USAID’s functions and its ongoing programming,” wrote Lewin in the email, which was sent to staff on Friday. “It will also obviate the need for USAID to continue operating as an independent establishment. Accordingly, the Department will seek to retire USAID’s independent operation, consistent with applicable law.”
About the author
Elissa Miolene
Elissa Miolene reports on USAID and the U.S. government at Devex. She previously covered education at The San Jose Mercury News, and has written for outlets like The Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, Washingtonian magazine, among others. Before shifting to journalism, Elissa led communications for humanitarian agencies in the United States, East Africa, and South Asia.
