USAID Employees Given 15 Minutes to Vacate as Agency Shuts Down

USAID Employees Given 15 Minutes to Vacate as Agency Shuts Down/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration has initiated the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), resulting in over 5,600 employees being placed on leave or terminated. Affected staff are granted a mere 15-minute window to clear their workspaces, reflecting the administration’s broader agenda to reduce federal agencies. This move has sparked legal challenges and widespread criticism from various stakeholders.

USAID Dismantling: Rapid Clear-Outs Amid Agency Shutdown – Quick Look

• Immediate Clear-Outs: Thousands of USAID employees are allotted just 15 minutes to collect personal belongings as the agency undergoes dismantling.
• Massive Workforce Reduction: The administration has placed 4,080 staffers on leave and initiated a reduction in force affecting an additional 1,600 employees.
• Foreign Aid Cuts: Over 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts are being eliminated, slashing $60 billion in global assistance.
• Legal and Political Repercussions: The rapid dismantling has led to legal challenges and debates over the administration’s authority to unilaterally dissolve a congressionally authorized agency.
• Emotional Departures: Departing employees, some displaying messages critical of the administration, have been seen leaving the agency’s headquarters.

USAID Employees Given 15 Minutes to Vacate as Agency Shuts Down

Deep Look

In a decisive move, the Trump administration has commenced the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a cornerstone of American foreign aid for over six decades. This action has led to the abrupt termination or administrative leave of more than 5,600 employees, who are now being granted a mere 15-minute window to clear out their workspaces. The swift and unceremonious nature of these clear-outs has left many employees and observers stunned.

Under heavily overcast skies, the first wave of USAID workers arrived at the now-closed Washington headquarters, greeted by a small, somber group of supporters. The atmosphere was tense, with a significant presence of federal officers overseeing the proceedings. One early arrival, rolling a suitcase behind him, was intercepted by at least seven officers who escorted him inside. Despite calls from larger bureaus within the agency for supporters to “clap out” departing staffers over the next two days, a Trump administration ban on USAID employees speaking publicly has instilled fear of retaliation, silencing many.

The administration’s actions have placed 4,080 USAID staffers on leave and initiated a “reduction in force” affecting an additional 1,600 employees. These measures are part of a broader campaign led by President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aiming to significantly reduce the size of the federal government. The dismantling of USAID stands out due to its scale and the administration’s decision to proceed without congressional involvement, despite the agency’s establishment and funding being authorized by Congress.

A recent report from the Congressional Research Service emphasized that congressional authorization is required “to abolish, move, or consolidate USAID.” However, the Republican majorities in both the House and the Senate have not challenged the administration’s actions. The administration has announced the elimination of over 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts, amounting to $60 billion in assistance worldwide. This drastic reduction leaves little of the agency’s original mission intact.

Outside the headquarters, a bucket of flowers was placed for workers to lay at the memorial wall inside, honoring the 99 USAID employees who lost their lives in the line of duty. The emotional weight of the moment was palpable, as employees grappled with the sudden end of their careers and the agency’s mission.

The notice provided to employees outlined strict instructions: specific groups were assigned times to be screened by security and escorted to their former workspaces. Those being terminated were required to return all USAID-issued assets, while those on administrative leave were instructed to retain their materials, including diplomatic passports, until a final determination regarding their employment status. Many employees viewed the administration’s terms as demeaning, particularly the directive prohibiting weapons such as firearms, “spear guns,” and “hand grenades,” and the stringent 15-minute limit to collect personal belongings.

Legal challenges have emerged in response to the administration’s rapid actions. A federal judge recently ordered the Trump administration to release billions in U.S. foreign aid, criticizing the lack of compliance with a prior court order to lift the funding freeze. However, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked that order, with Chief Justice John Roberts stating it would remain on hold until the high court could fully review the case.

This legal battle stems from a lawsuit filed by nonprofit organizations affected by the abrupt cutoff of foreign assistance through USAID and the State Department. On his first day in office, President Trump issued an executive order freezing what he described as wasteful programs misaligned with his foreign policy objectives.

Critics argue that the attack on USAID employees is both “unwarranted and unprecedented.” Virginia Democratic Rep. Gerald Connolly stated that the aid agency’s workers are integral to the “world’s premier development and foreign assistance agency,” responsible for saving “millions of lives every year.” The dismantling of USAID not only disrupts the lives of its dedicated employees but also raises questions about the future of U.S. foreign aid and its role in global development and humanitarian efforts.

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