Following a probe by the Department of Government Efficiency and President Donald Trump’s decision to slash jobs at the agency, fired U.S. Agency for International Development workers have been given clear guidelines and a narrow window for packing up their things.
Though individual situations may vary, USAID recently posted an update online to confirm that Thursday and Friday would be the only days during which such retrievals will take place.
According to Fox News:
“Staff will be given approximately 15 minutes to complete this retrieval and must be finished removing items within their time slot only,” the instructions stated. “Staff with a significant amount of personal belongings to retrieve must be cognizant of time; however, flexibility may be granted in select circumstances with the approval of the Office of Security.”
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They must also bring their own containers and supplies to remove and pack up their belongings.
Before leaving the building with their items, USAID said staff “will be required to acknowledge receipt of their personal belongings” in order to keep agencies from being liable for items left behind. They will also be required to confirm that they do not have any physical or electronic government records with them.
USAID said Thursday and Friday are the only two days when retrieval will be allowed and employees must do it within the time slot that coordinates with their bureau. If staff members cannot make the time slot, only a designated alternate staff member can retrieve belongings as visitors, children and staff without proper credentials will not be allowed.
General Services Administration will pack up personal items that were not retrieved and will send them to a warehouse to be collected at a later date, the instructions said.
Apparently rampant waste within USAID was exposed by DOGE and discussed widely via social media in recent weeks:
Waste & Abuse already found within USAID. pic.twitter.com/v0rx8TlBpj
— DOGE NEWS- Department of Government Efficiency (@realdogeusa) February 4, 2025
How can Democrats look the American people in the eye and support the kind of waste everyone sees at USAID?
— John Kennedy (@SenJohnKennedy) February 24, 2025
At USAID, Waste and Abuse Runs Deep.
A few examples;
⚡️$1.5 million to “advance diversity equity and inclusion in Serbia’s workplaces and business communities”
⚡️$2.5 million for electric vehicles for Vietnam
⚡️$70,000 for production of a “DEI musical” in Ireland
⚡️$47,000… pic.twitter.com/1EjKEA68ZM
— CeCe ˗ˏˋ ✞ ˎˊ˗ 🌴 🇺🇸 (@Ohio_buckeye_us) February 18, 2025
🚨🇺🇸 MASSIVE SHAKE-UP AT USAID!
The Trump administration has FIRED 2,000 USAID employees and placed thousands more on LEAVE over allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse. Democrats APPLAUD as they exit!#USAID #Trump #ElonMusk #DOGE pic.twitter.com/hrTIR9Ex0g
— Breaking News (@PlanetReportHQ) February 24, 2025
The New York Post also reported on the aftermath of the recent mass layoff:
Last week, several former USAID employees were seen removing their belongings from a different agency office in Washington.
The axed employees were greeted outside the building by a crowd of supporters.
The Trump administration – in an effort led by billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency – has worked to shutter USAID over allegations that it has wasted taxpayer money.
On Sunday, USAID moved to “implement a Reduction-in-Force that will affect approximately 1,600 USAID personnel” in the US.
The Trump administration is seeking to house the remaining core functions of the agency within the State Department.
Here’s some additional coverage of the recent developments:
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