WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Trump administration is moving to pull all U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) workers off the job, with plans to potentially shut down the agency and place it under the State Department. The administration argues that this move would reduce spending and eliminate federal bureaucracy.

The White House has criticized USAID for what it calls wasteful spending. Some examples provided include $2 million allocated to a Guatemala-based activist organization involved in LGBT activism and gender-affirming care, and $1.5 million given to a pro-LGBTQ group in Serbia to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in workplaces.

USAID's budget for 2024 was approximately $44 billion, representing about 0.6% of the U.S. government's $6.75 trillion budget. The agency provides humanitarian aid overseas, which advocates say is crucial for over 100 countries. USAID reports that it has improved the reading skills of over 286,000 students in more than 380 schools and provided anti-corruption training to over 1,500 government officials.

President Donald Trump has ordered USAID employees to be placed on administrative leave starting Friday, with those working outside the U.S. required to return within 30 days. The exceptions are designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions and core leadership.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he would serve as USAID's acting secretary. However, a Congressional Research Service report indicates that congressional authorization is required to abolish, move, or consolidate USAID, as it was established as an independent entity within the executive branch.

In fiscal year 2023, USAID managed $43.4 billion in appropriations, a small fraction of the federal government's total spending of over $6.31 trillion.