Top American University Lays Off 2,000 Employees Amid Funding Cuts

Johns Hopkins University, a prestigious institution located in Baltimore, has announced the layoff of over 2,000 staff members due to significant cuts in federal funding initiated by the Trump administration. The university expressed its deep concern, stating that it is a challenging day for the institution and its community.

The university highlighted that the suspension of more than $800 million in USAID funding is forcing it to halt essential programs both locally in Baltimore and internationally. In an official statement, the university emphasized the critical nature of the work that will be impacted by these funding reductions.

As a leading research university in the United States, Johns Hopkins has been at the forefront of various initiatives that rely heavily on federal support. Since President Trump took office in January, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has faced substantial budget cuts as part of a broader effort to streamline government spending, a move associated with initiatives led by prominent figures in the tech industry.

Following a freeze on all aid disbursements for review, the U.S. Department of State has announced plans to discontinue 83 percent of USAID's programs, further complicating the financial landscape for institutions like Johns Hopkins that depend on these resources.