As the USAID headquarters remains closed, employees were given a brief window to collect their belongings, sparking frustration and concern over the impact on lifesaving aid programs.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) headquarters has been closed for weeks, but yesterday and today, employees were allowed to return briefly to pick up their belongings.
USAID is an independent agency of the U.S. government responsible for providing economic, development, and humanitarian assistance to countries around the world.
Established in 1961, USAID works to achieve the U.S. foreign policy goals by promoting sustainable development, reducing poverty, and improving health globally.
With a presence in over 100 countries, USAID focuses on areas such as global health, food security, democracy, human rights, and disaster relief.
One of the first targets of the Trump Administration‘s federal workforce cuts was USAID. The agency’s headquarters in the Ronald Reagan Building was shuttered, leaving employees without access to their desks and personal items. However, in a brief window of opportunity, those who worked at the HQ were given 15 minutes to gather their things.
Employees Reflect on the Closure
As employees rushed to collect their belongings, many expressed frustration and bitterness about the sudden closure. One USAID employee, who wished to remain anonymous, shared his feelings: ‘I’m incredibly bitter and very angry… We’ve sacrificed a lot.‘
This employee, like many others, is still employed but feels the impact of the closure. He emphasized that foreign assistance was one of the last bipartisan issues in Washington, and he fears that cutting off aid will have devastating consequences: ‘It’s a legacy that American taxpayers should be proud of. Let’s not forget that… Historically, up until now, it’s been less than 1% of the budget.‘
Impact on Lifesaving Aid Programs
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that he has given waivers to lifesaving aid programs to ensure their continuation. However, his team has been canceling contracts and refusing court orders to pay for work already completed. This has raised concerns about the effectiveness and integrity of these programs.
Former USAID Administrator Samantha Power described the situation as ‘the ultimate shock and awe,’ saying that it’s unacceptable to cut off aid without giving stakeholders a chance to react and adapt: ‘It’s not just about the courts or citizens; even the silent majority of Republican members of Congress who support this work should be given a chance to get their bearings and activate.‘
Samantha Power is an Irish-American diplomat, journalist, and human rights activist.
Born in 1970 in Dublin, Ireland, she moved to the United States with her family at a young age.
Power served as the US Ambassador to the United Nations from 2013 to 2017, where she advocated for human rights and humanitarian issues.
She was also a key figure in the development of the Atrocities Prevention Board.
Prior to her diplomatic career, Power worked as a journalist and author, writing extensively on human rights and foreign policy.
Experts Weigh In
Gayle Smith, Obama‘s former USAID administrator, was also present at the Ronald Reagan Building to greet former colleagues. She expressed shock at the closure, stating that it’s ‘crazy‘ from a foreign policy perspective: ‘You don’t just cut off your arm and say we’ll figure out later whether or not we needed it.‘
Gayle Tzemach Smith is a former United States government official who served as the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) from 2015 to 2017.
She has extensive experience in foreign policy and development, with a focus on Africa and humanitarian issues.
Prior to her role at USAID, Smith worked as a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress think tank and served in various positions within the Obama administration.
Smith observed many experts leaving the building, highlighting the significant impact of the closure on the agency’s operations.
