Peace Corps Prepares For Staff Cuts Under Trump, DOGE (Here's The Impact On Volunteers)

NEW JERSEY — The federal budget cuts and executive orders taking place under President Donald Trump are now impacting the operations of the U.S. Peace Corps, and returned volunteers in New Jersey are taking notice.

One of the most iconic public service programs in the nation, the Peace Corps sends U.S. residents abroad to forge new international connections. Volunteers work on projects that target the unique needs of their new communities, including agriculture, economic development, education, health and youth outreach.

More than 240,000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in 144 countries worldwide since 1961. That list includes 5,112 New Jersey residents.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – headed by Elon Musk – reportedly began eyeing staff cuts at the Peace Corps in April. Eligible employees were offered an option for a “deferred resignation program,” and were told that more reductions may be needed due to “significant restructuring efforts.”

Advocates have reported that the agency may have to cut its global staff by 25 percent. It may also have to trim anywhere from 50 to 80 percent of existing staff at its headquarters in Washington D.C.

The Peace Corps will continue to recruit, place and train volunteers, spokespeople said.

The Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of New Jersey posted a message about the visit from DOGE in April, noting that similar visits have led to major funding cuts.

New Jersey currently has 82 residents serving abroad with the corps, according to a March update from the agency.

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NATIONAL PEACE CORPS ASSOCIATION

The National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) has been offering updates on the DOGE cuts, releasing a list of frequently asked questions this week.

According to the group, the dozens of in-service volunteers from New Jersey are in safe hands. If funding cuts require volunteers to be sent home, the Peace Corps has “well-established” procedures for safely returning them to the United States – which was demonstrated on a global scale five years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are some other highlights from the NPCA’s latest post:

IMPACT ON VOLUNTEERS – “The agency is focused on meeting and maintaining functions that support volunteers’ health, safety, security and successful service. They are also focused on operational and statutory requirements … The NPCA has heard that one of the offices hit with the largest staffing cuts is the office of Volunteer Recruitment and Selection, with an expected reduction of approximately two-thirds of its workforce. The NPCA shares the concern of many that the quality and timely delivery of volunteer training and support services will be significantly affected by these cuts to an already lean organization. Moreover, we are highly concerned that any reduction in recruitment staff will adversely affect Peace Corps' ability to reach pre-pandemic volunteer levels … The Peace Corps is prioritizing volunteer health, safety, and security and effective service. The NPCA is aware of assurances made to current volunteers for maintaining this support.”

TAKING ACTION – “One of the very most important actions just happened in the U.S. House of Representatives. Lawmakers were asked to sign a letter that will be sent to leaders of the House Appropriations Committee, asking that they support an increase in Peace Corps funding for the next federal fiscal year (FY 2026). The more lawmakers who signed on the letter, the more leverage we will have to get the strongest Peace Corps budget possible. The final number of signatures is still pending, follow this link, to see who has signed the letter so far. Note: A similar letter is expected to be circulating soon in the U.S. Senate. At the NPCA, our response is our ‘Stand Up for Service’ campaign.”

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TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDER

Another recent move from the Trump administration – an executive order regarding foreign assistance to South Africa – has forced the Peace Corps to hit the brakes on sending new volunteers to the nation.

“As the Peace Corps continues to assess compliance with the Executive Order regarding foreign assistance to South Africa, the agency is pausing the country’s next two-year volunteer cohort due to depart this summer,” spokespeople reported earlier this week.

The impacted volunteers will be given the chance to serve in another country that aligns with their skills and preferences, according to the Peace Corps.

“At this time, this determination does not impact agency operations in South Africa,” the statement continued. “The Peace Corps remains committed to supporting volunteers’ health, safety and security as they continue their service.”

No other volunteer cohorts are impacted by this decision, the agency said.

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