USAID employees given 15 minutes to collect belongings
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The agency's Washington, DC headquarters were officially closed earlier this month, with employees instructed to work remotely.
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A United States Agency for International Development worker carries personal belongings after retrieving them from the USAID's Bureau of Humanitarian Affairs office in Washington, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Washington (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Employees of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have been informed they will have approximately 15 minutes to collect their personal belongings from the Ronald Reagan Building (RRB) in Washington, DC, on February 27 and 28. This abrupt directive comes amid the Trump administration's decision to dissolve the agency as part of a broader governmental restructuring effort.
In a statement issued earlier this week, USAID clarified, "This Thursday and Friday ONLY – on February 27 and 28, 2025 – USAID staff will have the opportunity to retrieve their personal belongings from the RRB during a designated date and time... Staff will be given approximately 15 minutes to complete this retrieval and must be finished removing items within their time slot only."
The decision follows comments from Elon Musk, the head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), who referred to USAID as a "criminal organization" that "needs to die." Musk added that President Trump had agreed to the agency's closure and confirmed that DOGE was "already in the process" of shutting down USAID.
The agency's Washington, DC headquarters were officially closed earlier this month, with employees instructed to work remotely. Acting Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been appointed as the interim director, tasked with merging USAID's responsibilities into the State Department's functions.
USAID Shutdown
The closure of USAID has triggered widespread layoffs and the suspension of numerous international aid programs, raising concerns about the impact on U.S. humanitarian efforts and global diplomatic influence. Critics argue that the sudden shutdown undermines long-standing development initiatives and leaves vulnerable populations without critical support.
In response to the agency's closure, legal challenges have emerged, questioning the legality of the abrupt termination of USAID's operations. A federal judge recently set a deadline for the Trump administration to allocate previously authorized foreign aid funds, further complicating the situation.
Read more: Mass layoffs at USAID: 1,600 employees dismissed
Meanwhile, former USAID employees have been given strict time slots to collect their belongings, with enhanced security measures in place. Any personal items not retrieved within the designated periods face the risk of being relocated to government storage, potentially resulting in loss or damage.
