According to four sources confirmed by Reuters, the Trump administration is planning to lay off 9,700 employees from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The agency currently employs around 10,000 people, but only 294 staff members are expected to be retained. Reports indicate that the Africa Bureau will have just 12 employees, while the Asia Bureau will be left with only 8. A former USAID chief described this decision as "horrendous" and warned that it would put many people in jeopardy. The U.S. State Department has not yet commented on the matter. Previously, a close associate of Trump had labeled USAID as a "terrorist organization," accusing it of spending taxpayer money on biological research and propaganda. Shortly after, news of the layoffs emerged.