The federal government has moved to largely eliminate the U.S. Agency for International Development.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) workers who have been fired or put on leave will have 15 minutes to clear out their desks this week, the agency said in a new notice.
Workers who have worked out of the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington will be allowed into the facility on Feb. 27 or Feb. 28 to retrieve their personal belongings.
After showing an identification card to security guards or law enforcement personnel, the workers will go through metal detectors and x-ray machines, according to the notice.
“Staff will then be escorted to their workspace, where they will be permitted to collect their personal items. Staff will be given approximately 15 minutes to complete this retrieval and must be finished removing items within their time slot only,” the notice states. “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.”
Personnel were warned against carrying prohibited items such as firearms, explosives, and nunchucks.
USAID, which administers foreign assistance, placed all staffers on administrative leave on Sunday. The agency said it was also engaging in layoffs of about 1,600 personnel who are based in the United States.
“Designated essential personnel who are expected to continue working will be informed by Agency leadership,” the agency said in a previous notice. “For overseas personnel, USAID intends a voluntary Agency-funded return travel program and other benefits. USAID is committed to keeping its overseas personnel safe. Until they return home, personnel will retain access to Agency systems and to diplomatic and other resources.”
President Donald Trump on Jan. 20 ordered a freeze of foreign funding and a subsequent review of the aid. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, USAID’s acting administrator, has identified nearly 5,800 USAID contracts to be terminated while retaining only around 500, lawyers for the government said in a Feb. 26 court filing.
Rubio has also decided to terminate approximately 4,100 State Department awards while keeping 2,700 in place.
Democrats have criticized the Trump administration’s targeting of USAID and foreign assistance. “The Trump admin’s reckless freeze on foreign aid has caused devastation and put lives at risk—both abroad and at home,” Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.) wrote on the social media platform X this week.
A federal judge had ordered the Trump administration to make outstanding payments on all foreign aid awards in place as of mid-February, but the U.S. Supreme Court blocked that order on Wednesday as the nation’s top court weighs the matter.