A number of U.S. Company for Worldwide Growth staffers cleared out their places of work on the company’s Washington headquarters on Thursday, saying they had been disheartened after Elon Musk’s Division of Authorities Effectivity laid them off or positioned them on go away.
“The extra I discuss it, the extra I need to cry,” mentioned Amanda, who labored in science and expertise at USAID and didn’t need to share her final title out of concern of retribution, as she waited to enter the constructing to get her issues. “It is heartbreaking.”
Lucy Mize, second from proper, a United States Company for Worldwide Growth (USAID) well being officer for 31 years, cries as she walks with fellow USAID staff to the USAID headquarters in Washington, to collect private belongings, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
Many staffers mentioned they obtained an e mail late Sunday informing them they had been positioned on administrative go away and had been later assigned 15-minute home windows to enter the constructing and collect their belongings. They had been cheered on by a whole bunch of mates, household and supporters exterior as they exited the constructing with bankers containers, reusable baggage and suitcases.
“It feels profoundly disrespectful to staff, to people who find themselves dedicating themselves to creating issues higher globally, making issues higher elsewhere in order that they do not come right here, so the issues do not come right here,” Melissa, who additionally didn’t share her final title, mentioned of the quick time they had been allotted.
She beforehand labored on democracy packages in Ukraine and anti-corruption efforts.
“I imply and we’re all folks, proper,” she added. “We’ve got children to maintain, now we have mother and father to take of who’re growing old and we’re all combating that as nicely.”
Former United States Company for Worldwide Growth (USAID) workers terminated after the Trump administration dismantled the company acquire their private belongings on the USAID headquarters on Feb. 27, 2025 in Washington.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Pictures
Caitlin Harwood, a mom of a 4-year-old woman and a 9-month-old, mentioned she is “anxious” about her subsequent paycheck and is uncertain what’s subsequent for her.
A rustic desk officer with USAID for Mozambique, she advised ABC Information that whereas she believes the federal government could possibly be made extra environment friendly, she takes subject with the best way Musk’s crew has finished it.
“I believe there is a solution to go about that. I do not suppose anyone would have been as terrified as they’re now if that they had come by means of and mentioned we’re going to have a program evaluation,” Harwood mentioned.
“So, this isn’t effectivity, and it is really costing the American folks billions in {dollars} in wasted meals, wasted drugs,” Harwood added.
Laid-off U.S. Company for Worldwide Growth (USAID) probationary worker Juliane Alfen reacts after USAID staff cleared out their desks and picked up private belongings, throughout a sendoff in Washington, D.C., Feb. 27, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
Ben Thompson labored in communications previous to being laid off by USAID and mentioned he had been beneath a “communications freeze” for the reason that early days of the Trump administration.
“Highly effective, evil males are focusing on numerous good individuals who have devoted their lives to one thing greater than themselves, which is one thing that someone like Elon [Musk] cannot relate to,” Thompson advised reporters. “This clearly is not about authorities waste, fraud and abuse. He is not going by means of with a fine-toothed comb — he is tearing down our establishments for enjoyable.”
Samantha Energy, the USAID administrator beneath former President Joe Biden, went contained in the Ronald Reagan Constructing, which homes the company’s headquarters, and spoke with staff Thursday morning.
“What’s being finished is without doubt one of the largest blunders in American overseas coverage historical past. It’s one which generations of Individuals will look again on in horror,” Energy advised ABC Information. “However the best way it is being finished, the cruelty, the savagery, the mercilessness, is an outrage, and it ought to, no matter you consider overseas help — to deal with American public servants who need to do nothing greater than serve their nation, serve the American folks, to deal with them in the best way they’re being handled ought to chill and horrify all of us.”
Energy mentioned she hoped USAID staff “bear in mind the lives you’ve got touched.”
Folks show indicators throughout a sendoff after laid-off U.S. Company for Worldwide Growth (USAID) staff cleared out their desks and picked up private belongings, in Washington, D.C., Feb.27, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
Some supporters gathered exterior had traveled hours to be in Washington to cheer on staff as they exited the constructing.
Diana Putman advised ABC Information she drove 3 1/2 hours to get to Washington from Pennsylvania that morning “as a result of I wanted to be right here to help my colleagues.”
Putman retired from USAID in 2022 after spending her total decadeslong profession with the company. She adopted within the footsteps of her father, who had begun working with USAID in March 1962 — simply 5 months after it was based.
“USAID actually is the preeminent improvement company of the world, and our smooth energy has meant so, a lot world wide for the final 60-plus years,” Putman mentioned. “The optimistic face of the American folks will not be seen world wide.”
An exterior shot of the Ronald Reagan Constructing, which homes the USAID workplace, as ousted USAID staff cleared out their desks on Thursday, February 27, 2025. (Kelly Livingston/ABC Information)
(Kelly Livingston/ABC Information)
When supporters arrived, black tape had been positioned over the title of USAID on the indicators exterior of the Ronald Reagan Constructing. Kate Parsons, a employee who was laid off final week from the the USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Help, ripped the tape off. She mentioned she’d come out to help her colleagues.
“I do not know who put that tape up, however I do know that USAID continues to be right here. We’re nonetheless right here,” Parsons advised ABC Information.
“Solely Congress can shut down USAID — it is a authorities company. The present management is attempting to dismantle it. They’re attempting to do it so rapidly and so sloppily that folks do not discover or folks cannot cease it, however they have not fired us all but,” Parsons added. “This combat will not be finished but.”
The signal exterior the doorway of the Ronald Reagan Constructing in Washington, D.C., the place black tape had been positioned over the USAID workplace title previous to an indication for ousted USAID staff who had been requested to filter their desks on Thursday, February 27, 2025. (Kelly Livingston/ABC Information)
(Kelly Livingston/ABC Information)
USAID staff mentioned they need the general public to be happy with the work they did.
“We love the American folks. We’re right here to serve. That is what bureaucrats are,” Harwood, the mother of two younger youngsters, mentioned when requested about her message to the general public. “We’re nonpartisan. We had a mission. We had been so proud to serve it. And we hope we did you proud.”
