USAID employees given 15 minutes to clear their offices

Thousands of USAID employees are being escorted out of their offices in Washington after being fired or placed on administrative leave due to Trump administration cuts.

Thousands of USAID employees are being escorted out of their offices in Washington after being fired or placed on administrative leave due to Trump administration cuts.

Marissa, it's been an emotional day here in Washington DC outside of USAID's former headquarters. We've seen people shed tears as they've shared their stories with us, and we've seen those people go inside for just 15 minutes under federal supervision to clear out their desks and their offices. Bringing out their belongings and bags, boxes, and in some cases suitcases. This is all part of President Donald Trump's effort to slash the size of the federal government, but it has also upended lives and it has thrown this agency into turmoil. Supporters have now laid off USAID workers, clapping as the agency's former employees were forced to clear their things from the now shuttered headquarters. What you're feeling right now in this moment. I just can't. I'm sorry. For many today was not just about packing up their offices, but mourning the abrupt end to their careers dedicated to humanitarian work. It's hard to even put into words like how how hard it feels to lose. The effort that we put in over years to build something, Melissa says she spent years working on democracy initiatives and combating corruption in countries like Ukraine. We're all people, right? We have kids to take care of. We have You know, parents to take care of who are aging, and so we're all struggling with that as well. The dismantling of USAID, led by the Department of Government Efficiency under presidential adviser Elon Musk has resulted in mass layoffs. More than 5600 other employees are now on administrative leave. More than 90% of the agency's contracts have been eliminated, and $60 billion in US assistance worldwide halted. The overall goal here with the Doge team is. Help address the enormous deficit, we simply cannot sustain as *** country $2 trillion deficits. The White House says the agency is rife with corruption and the programs do not align with its agenda. I love the concept, but they turn out to be radical left lunatics. Former workers and agency supporters rejecting that notion Thursday. We are not corrupt. We are people that decided to make *** choice to work for. The US and on behalf of the US, I spoke with many current USAID workers who are on administrative leave, and one of their big concerns, of course, is whether or not they're going to have *** job in the near future. But something else that they keep bringing up is how shutting down this agency is going to have *** negative impact on humanitarian efforts across the world. In Washington, I'm Christopher Seas, WMUR News.

USAID employees given 15 minutes to clear their offices

Thousands of USAID employees are being escorted out of their offices in Washington after being fired or placed on administrative leave due to Trump administration cuts.

Thousands of USAID employees are being escorted out of their offices in Washington after being fired or placed on administrative leave due to Trump administration cuts.The administration gave thousands of those who worked in the Washington headquarters 15-minute time slots to clear out their desks.The White House calls this a necessary cost-cutting measure, but critics say it's a devastating blow to global humanitarian efforts.Notices went out to terminate over 90% of USAID’s contracts for humanitarian and development work around the world, and the Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a judge’s order requiring the administration to release billions of dollars in foreign aid.Supporters of now laid-off USAID workers clapped as the agency's former employees were forced to clear their things from the now-shuttered headquarters. For many, today was not just about packing up their offices but mourning the abrupt end to their careers dedicated to humanitarian work."It's hard to even put into words how hard it is the effort that we've put in over the years to build something," said Melissa, a former USAID employee.Melissa says she spent years working on democracy initiatives and combating corruption in countries like Ukraine."We are all people. Right. We have kids to take care of, we have parents to take care of who are aging so we're all struggling with that as well," she added.The dismantling of USAID, led by the Department of Government Efficiency under presidential adviser Elon Musk."The overall goal here with the DOGE team is to help address the enormous deficit. We simply cannot sustain as a country $2 trillion deficits," said Elon Musk.Musk admitted Wednesday as part of USAID cost-cutting, they got "accidentally" rid of the Ebola Prevention program but said it was quickly reinstalled.The White House says USAID is rife with corruption and the programs do not align with its agenda."I love the concept, but they turned out to be radical left lunatics," said President Donald Trump.Former workers and its supporters rejected that notion Thursday."We are not corrupt. We are people that decided to make a choice to work for the U.S. and on behalf of the U.S.," said Ariella Bock, a former USAID contractor.

WASHINGTON —

Thousands of USAID employees are being escorted out of their offices in Washington after being fired or placed on administrative leave due to Trump administration cuts.

The administration gave thousands of those who worked in the Washington headquarters 15-minute time slots to clear out their desks.

The White House calls this a necessary cost-cutting measure, but critics say it's a devastating blow to global humanitarian efforts.

Notices went out to terminate over 90% of USAID’s contracts for humanitarian and development work around the world, and the Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a judge’s order requiring the administration to release billions of dollars in foreign aid.

Supporters of now laid-off USAID workers clapped as the agency's former employees were forced to clear their things from the now-shuttered headquarters. For many, today was not just about packing up their offices but mourning the abrupt end to their careers dedicated to humanitarian work.

"It's hard to even put into words how hard it is the effort that we've put in over the years to build something," said Melissa, a former USAID employee.

Melissa says she spent years working on democracy initiatives and combating corruption in countries like Ukraine.

"We are all people. Right. We have kids to take care of, we have parents to take care of who are aging so we're all struggling with that as well," she added.

The dismantling of USAID, led by the Department of Government Efficiency under presidential adviser Elon Musk.

"The overall goal here with the DOGE team is to help address the enormous deficit. We simply cannot sustain as a country $2 trillion deficits," said Elon Musk.

Musk admitted Wednesday as part of USAID cost-cutting, they got "accidentally" rid of the Ebola Prevention program but said it was quickly reinstalled.

The White House says USAID is rife with corruption and the programs do not align with its agenda.

"I love the concept, but they turned out to be radical left lunatics," said President Donald Trump.

Former workers and its supporters rejected that notion Thursday.

"We are not corrupt. We are people that decided to make a choice to work for the U.S. and on behalf of the U.S.," said Ariella Bock, a former USAID contractor.

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