Johns Hopkins to cut 2,000 jobs after Trump's $800m USAID funding cut
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Johns Hopkins University is laying off over 2,000 workers worldwide after the Trump administration cut $800 million in federal grants.
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Lab workers at Johns Hopkins University work in Richard Huganir's lab in Baltimore, Md., on February 26, 2025. (AP)
Johns Hopkins University announced plans to cut over 2,000 jobs after the Trump administration reduced $800 million in grants to the institution.
The funding for these positions came from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which faced significant cuts under the administration.
The layoffs will affect 247 domestic workers and 1,975 positions abroad in 44 countries, making it the largest layoff in the university's history. The job cuts will impact the Bloomberg School of Public Health, the medical school, and Jhpiego, a nonprofit affiliated with the university.
The School of Public Health includes over 80 research institutions focusing on critical issues like gun violence, maternal health, and the economic impacts of Alzheimer’s disease.
“This is a difficult day for our entire community. The termination of more than $800m in USAID funding is now forcing us to wind down critical work here in Baltimore and internationally,” the university stated.
Johns Hopkins is the largest private employer in Maryland and Baltimore, receiving the most federal research funding. The university employs over 150,000 people. Those affected by the layoffs will receive 60 days’ notice before being laid off or furloughed.
The cuts follow the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle USAID, with figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk accusing the agency of fraud and waste.
The administration has canceled over 80% of USAID programs, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Johns Hopkins is also impacted by the White House's probe into US universities regarding pro-Palestinian protests.
Recently, the US canceled $400 million in grants to Columbia University, and the Trump administration is seeking to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate involved in pro-Palestinian protests at the university.
USAID staff instructed to get rid of classified documents: Report
Officials at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have initiated a large-scale destruction of classified documents at their headquarters in Washington, DC, according to an internal email obtained by The Guardian on Wednesday.
The process, which involves shredders and "burn bags," is taking place at the Ronald Reagan Building, as per the report.
The email, sent by Acting USAID Secretary Erica Y. Carr, provides specific instructions for clearing "classified safes and personnel documents" using shredding and "burn bags" labeled "SECRET" throughout the day on Tuesday.
"Shred as many documents first, and reserve the burn bags for when the shredder becomes unavailable or needs a break," Carr wrote, offering detailed guidance on sealing and labeling the burn bags properly.
The timing of this document purge coincides with the effective dismantling of USAID, following the Trump administration’s efforts to overhaul the agency through the so-called "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk.
Tasked with drastically reducing federal jobs and spending, Musk’s oversight has triggered significant upheaval across government agencies, with USAID among the hardest hit.
