WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- The Trump administration has announced plans to withdraw nearly all employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) from their global assignments, effectively dismantling the agency's long-standing mission of addressing global hunger, education, and disease prevention.

USAID employees were informed via email and an online notice, marking another step in the administration's effort to scale back foreign aid. The move, influenced by returning Trump-era political appointees and budget-cutting teams led by billionaire Elon Musk, reflects a view that much of USAID's spending is wasteful.

The directive, set to take effect just before midnight on Friday, gives overseas direct hires 30 days to return hom...