The halls of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) fell into eerie silence this week as employees were forced out in waves.
What once was a bustling government agency focused on humanitarian aid is now a ghost town, thanks to the latest move by the Trump administration.
One USAID worker, who managed to survive the sweeping cuts, recounted the nightmare of watching colleagues disappear from a virtual meeting in real time.
“It was like something out of a horror film,” they told NPR, as staffers were abruptly removed from the call when their access was revoked.
Trump’s Crackdown on USAID
President Trump has taken a sledgehammer to USAID, branding it as “corrupt” and slashing its workforce.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by Elon Musk, has been tasked with eliminating what they see as wasteful spending in federal agencies, and USAID was its first major target.
At least 8,000 staffers and contractors were placed on permanent leave or furlough.
Initially, only 297 employees were meant to stay, but after internal appeals, the number was increased to 611.
Despite the concessions, many still fear that the remaining staff will struggle to keep vital programs running.
A Public Display of Closure
The agency’s downfall was on full display Friday when workers were seen in tears as crews covered up USAID’s name on its headquarters’ sign with duct tape.
Large letters over the entrance were also removed.
The DOGE social media account added insult to injury by posting photos of the stripped-down building with the caption: “Unburdened by what has been.”
Meanwhile, Trump took to Truth Social to justify the cuts.
“USAID is driving the radical left crazy, and there is nothing they can do about it.
The way in which the money has been spent, so much of it fraudulently, is totally unexplainable.
The corruption is at levels rarely seen before—close it down!”
Elon Musk’s Role and Justification
Elon Musk has not been shy about his disdain for USAID, calling it a “criminal organization” and questioning the billions spent on foreign aid.
“Your tax dollars should be spent on America or the government should just tax you less,” he wrote on X.
His Department of Government Efficiency is pushing hard to redirect funding away from overseas assistance and back into domestic programs—or simply cut spending altogether.
However, critics argue that these cuts will have far-reaching consequences, not just abroad but also within the U.S.
The Lawsuit and Pushback
The backlash against USAID’s dismantling has been swift.
Two unions representing agency employees filed a lawsuit against Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The suit, led by advocacy group Democracy Forward, claims that only Congress has the authority to dissolve USAID, making the administration’s actions unconstitutional.
“What we’re seeing is an unlawful seizure of this agency by the Trump administration in a plain violation of basic constitutional principles,” said Robin Thurston, Democracy Forward’s legal director.
Rubio’s Defense: “We Had No Choice”
Despite the controversy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the decision.
During a press conference alongside the president of the Dominican Republic, he explained that the agency was uncooperative in providing financial transparency.
“I’d have preferred not to do it this way,” Rubio admitted.
“But when we tried to do it from the top down, we found people trying to sneak through payments despite the stop order.”
Rubio insisted that the U.S. would still provide foreign aid, but in a way that aligns with national interests.
“The United States will be providing foreign aid. But it is going to be foreign aid that makes sense.”
The Fallout: What’s Next for USAID?
The effects of these mass firings extend beyond government offices.
USAID’s $40 billion budget supported projects like food aid, disaster relief, and health programs in over 100 countries.
Much of the aid the agency procured came from American businesses. In 2020 alone, $2.1 billion in food aid was purchased from American farmers.
With USAID’s funding slashed, smaller companies specializing in global health care and disaster relief may struggle to stay afloat.
Meanwhile, U.S. workers stationed overseas have been given 30 days to return home unless they receive a special waiver. Those who stay past the deadline may have to cover their own expenses.
As the dust settles, questions remain: Can the remaining 611 employees handle the agency’s workload?
Will Congress intervene to challenge Trump’s cuts?
And what will happen to the countless people around the world who rely on USAID’s assistance?