WASHINGTON (AP) — Workers at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) made somber final visits to their Washington headquarters on Thursday, collecting their belongings under tight security. The agency’s closure, a key move in the Trump administration’s effort to downsize the federal government, left many employees devastated as they were given only 15-minute time slots to clear out their offices under federal escort.
Tearful staff members carried their remaining personal effects in suitcases and grocery bags, while supporters gathered outside to applaud and offer encouragement. Some honked their car horns in solidarity, and a woman, overwhelmed by the cheers, broke into tears as she exited the building. Moved by the moment, supporters embraced her, sharing in the sorrow of the agency’s dismantling.
USAID has been a primary target of the Trump administration’s government reduction initiative, spearheaded by Trump and his advisor, Elon Musk, through the Department of Government Efficiency. Their rapid push to dissolve the agency has faced little resistance from Congress, despite USAID’s longstanding role in global humanitarian and development efforts. Critics argue the decision was made without congressional approval, which is traditionally required for such structural changes.
Federal officers stationed outside USAID’s headquarters intercepted arriving employees, guiding them inside to retrieve their belongings. Among those offering support was David Radcliffe, a 30-year Army veteran and former Department of Defense official. Holding a sign reading, “YOU Made America Great! Thank You USAID,” Radcliffe lamented the agency’s closure. “This work represented the best of America,” he said. “It’s shocking and senseless from a policy standpoint.”
As USAID’s largest departments encouraged supporters to join in a “clap-out” for departing staff, a Trump administration gag order left many fearful of speaking out publicly. Nonetheless, Randy Chester, vice president of the American Foreign Service Association, voiced appreciation for their service. “We just want to say thank you,” he said. “Your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed.”
Meanwhile, legal battles continue over the administration’s abrupt decision to freeze more than $60 billion in U.S. foreign aid and eliminate 90% of USAID’s contracts. A federal judge recently ordered the release of these funds, ruling that the administration had failed to justify the freeze. However, the Supreme Court has temporarily blocked that order pending further review.
USAID employees have decried the administration’s handling of their terminations, particularly a notice instructing them not to bring prohibited items—such as firearms, “spear guns,” and “hand grenades”—while collecting their possessions. Many found this directive insulting, viewing it as a final indignity in an already painful process.
A floral tribute left outside the building honored the 99 USAID workers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The fate of the agency’s remaining employees remains uncertain, as those placed on administrative leave await further instructions.
Virginia Representative Gerald Connolly condemned the administration’s actions, calling them “unwarranted and unprecedented.” He praised USAID employees for their dedication, emphasizing that their work has saved millions of lives worldwide. “This attack on public servants is not just an assault on USAID,” he said, “but on America’s standing as a global leader in humanitarian aid.”
