USAID workers briefly returned to their Washington headquarters to collect belongings after President Trump’s administration announced a drastic cut of over 90% to the agency’s aid contracts. This decision followed a 90-day halt on foreign aid intended to align projects with Trump’s “America First” policy. Thousands of staff were laid off, and operations were severely disrupted, jeopardizing vital humanitarian efforts. As employees left carrying personal items to applause from supporters, they expressed emotional distress over the dismantling of their agency. The cuts include significant programs for food assistance and health initiatives, like those addressing HIV/AIDS globally.
Washington:
Workers from the US Agency for International Development were permitted to briefly reenter their Washington headquarters on Thursday to retrieve personal items and clear their desks, following the announcement from President Donald Trump’s administration about cutting more than 90% of the agency’s aid contracts.
In January, Trump mandated a 90-day halt on all foreign aid to initiate a comprehensive review, ensuring that all projects funded by US taxpayer money aligned with his “America First” agenda.
This directive, along with subsequent stop-work orders, plunged USAID into confusion, ceasing operations globally, jeopardizing the distribution of essential food and medical aid, and disrupting international humanitarian relief efforts.
Trump appointed billionaire and adviser Elon Musk to dismantle USAID in an unusual attempt to downsize the federal government, which they argue involves eliminating wasteful spending and fund misuse.
Thousands of employees were placed on leave and contracts were terminated, resulting in workers being barred from accessing the agency’s headquarters in downtown Washington. Most of those put on leave are unlikely to be reinstated.
USAID employee Caitlin Harwood gestures as she hugs her cousin after laid-off USAID workers cleared out their desks.
Photo Credit: Reuters
On Thursday, USAID employees exited the headquarters with cardboard boxes filled with personal belongings, receiving applause and cheers from around 80 supporters, including fellow workers and members of the public.
An 8-year-old girl, whose father was inside packing his cubicle after 30 years with USAID, held a homemade sign that said: “I’m proud of you Daddy.”
In her other hand, she held a US flag. Her mother, standing by her with an umbrella to shield from a steady rain, chose not to disclose their identities for fear of retribution.
“We are still processing being labeled criminals for serving our country for 30 years,” she expressed.
A woman reacts after laid-off USAID workers cleared out their desks
Photo Credit: Reuters
Angela Stephens, 61, who has been part of USAID’s communications department since 2008, described the day as emotional and sorrowful for those at the agency.
“There is always change with a new administration, but we never anticipated the complete disbandment of our agency. I am uncertain about my future,” stated Stephens.
REVIEW RAPIDLY COMPLETED
A spokesperson from the US State Department remarked on Wednesday that USAID had reviewed 6,200 multi-year grants and decided to cut nearly 5,800 of them, accounting for a $54 billion decrease, or a 92% reduction.
The spokesperson noted that the Trump administration rushed to finish the review after a federal judge intervened, ordering the release of frozen funds allocated to foreign aid contractors and grant recipients. This order was subsequently put on hold by US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts late Wednesday.
According to a court filing by Pete Marocco, acting deputy administrator of USAID and director of foreign assistance at the State Department, meeting the original court-imposed deadline for payments would have been exceedingly challenging.
The spokesperson emphasized that essential awards, including food assistance and critical medical treatments for HIV, remain intact.
However, leaders from health organizations indicate that some of the largest US-funded HIV/AIDS programs in South Africa were informed that their funding would not resume, while a global non-profit focused on malaria and maternal and newborn health had most of its contracts canceled.
According to documents reviewed by Reuters, UNAIDS, the UN agency addressing HIV and AIDS, had its contract with USAID terminated.
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