cover of episode An abrupt departure as USAID workers return to clear their desks at DC headquarters.

An abrupt departure as USAID workers return to clear their desks at DC headquarters.

2025/2/27
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Tara Neal: 我报道了特朗普政府解散美国国际开发署的事件，以及由此带来的全球影响。这一事件引发了广泛的争议和法律诉讼。 Michelle Kellerman: 我在现场报道了美国国际开发署员工清理办公桌的场景。许多员工流泪，表达了他们的不满和悲伤。一些员工在周日晚上被解雇，一些则处于行政休假状态。他们只有15分钟的时间来收拾东西。 Samantha Power: 美国国际开发署的解散方式与其提升人类尊严的使命完全背道而驰。这种做法是对人类尊严的践踏。 Gail Smith: 特朗普政府的做法从外交政策的角度来看是疯狂的。美国政府正在失去大量的专业人才。 Celia: 我被解雇了，我担心这只是未来更多类似事件的开始。国会应该介入，因为我们只是在做他们要求我们做的工作。 Samantha Power: The manner in which this is being done is the exact opposite of USAID's mission. USAID's mission is about elevating human dignity and this is about trampling it at every turn. The abrupt nature of the closures and the lack of respect shown to long-serving employees is deeply troubling. This isn't just about losing jobs; it's about undermining years of carefully cultivated relationships and expertise in international development. The consequences will be felt for years to come, impacting vulnerable populations around the world who rely on USAID's assistance. This is a profound loss for American diplomacy and global stability. The Trump administration's actions are short-sighted and ultimately damaging to American interests. The lack of transparency and due process in these firings is also deeply concerning. We need to ensure that future administrations learn from this experience and treat public servants with the respect and dignity they deserve. The damage done to morale and trust in government is immense. This is a sad day for USAID and for American foreign policy. Michelle Kellerman: The scene at the Ronald Reagan building was incredibly emotional. Employees, some with decades of service, were reduced to tears as they packed up their belongings. The 15-minute time slots allotted for clearing out desks felt incredibly disrespectful, given the years of dedication these individuals had given to public service. The atmosphere was one of disbelief and anger, with many expressing concerns about the future and the impact of these actions on the lives of those they served overseas. The casual way in which these long-term employees were treated stands in stark contrast to the important work they did. The lack of respect shown to these individuals is a reflection of a larger disregard for the critical role USAID plays in global affairs. The stories I heard were heartbreaking, and the sense of loss was palpable. This is more than just a bureaucratic reshuffling; it's a dismantling of vital expertise and experience. Gail Smith: The Trump administration's approach to dismantling USAID is reckless and short-sighted. It's not just about the immediate loss of personnel; it's about the irreparable damage done to long-term relationships and partnerships built over decades. The expertise and institutional knowledge being lost are irreplaceable. This is not a cost-cutting measure; it's a strategic blunder with far-reaching consequences. The decision to abruptly shut down operations and refuse to pay for completed work is not only unethical but also financially irresponsible. The legal battles that will ensue will be costly and time-consuming, further delaying the provision of essential services. This is a profound setback for American foreign policy and global development. The long-term implications of this decision are deeply concerning. The damage to America's reputation and its ability to effectively engage in international cooperation is significant. This is a tragedy for those who rely on USAID's assistance and a blow to the principles of good governance and responsible stewardship. Celia: I've dedicated my career to supporting scientific research around the world, and it's devastating to be fired in such a callous manner. The lack of appreciation for the work we do is disheartening. This isn't just about me; it's about the countless individuals and communities who benefit from USAID's programs. The Trump administration's actions are a betrayal of public trust. Congress has a responsibility to step in and protect the vital work of USAID. We need to ensure that the expertise and knowledge gained over years of service are not lost. The lack of support from Congress is deeply concerning. We need to raise awareness about the importance of USAID's work and the devastating impact of these actions. We need to fight for our jobs and for the communities we serve. This is not just about our livelihoods; it's about the future of international development.

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This message comes from ICF. Working with government and industry to power energy innovation, advance health outcomes, and leverage technology and AI for mission success, let's build a more resilient world. Start at ICF.com. Today on State of the World, an abrupt departure as USAID workers return to clear their desks at DC headquarters.

You're listening to State of the World from NPR, the day's most vital international stories, up close, where they're happening. It's Thursday, February the 27th. I'm Tara Neal. The Trump administration has been dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the repercussions have been felt all over the world. The administration is still battling court cases about the agency's abrupt breakup.

But one thing is already clear. The headquarters in Washington, D.C., are gone. They've been shuttered for weeks now. And on Thursday, employees were given a brief chance to clear out their desks. NPR's Michelle Kellerman was there.

Applause broke out in the lobby of the Ronald Reagan building each time USAID officials walked out of the elevators with bags of pictures, posters, and other knickknacks from their time in public office. Just seeing my former colleagues walk out with...

their possessions, some of whom have worked here 30 years and seeing a lot of tears and a lot of heartache. That's Samantha Power, who ran USAID in the Biden administration. Employees, some of whom were fired on Sunday night, some of whom are still working for the agency but on administrative leave, were given just 15-minute time slots to clear out their desks. The manner in which this is being done is the exact opposite of USAID's mission. USAID's mission is to

about elevating human dignity and this is about trampling it at every turn. There's a woman who came here as a refugee now serving, she says, to give back to the U.S. Another woman, who also didn't want to give her name for fear of retribution, told NPR she was fired from the Africa Bureau and she's praying for those whose lives have been touched by USAID. And I know that we'll find other ways to touch lives.

How long have you worked for USAID? For USAID, 11 years. As a Fed, 36 years. Didn't think I'd be ending my career like this. Trump administration officials have branded employees as criminals who are misusing funds. They've canceled contracts. And even after being ordered to pay for some work that has already been done, the administration balked and asked the Supreme Court to weigh in.

Samantha Power describes the approach as the, quote, ultimate shock and awe. Another former USAID administrator, Gail Smith, echoes that. She, too, was on hand to see former colleagues packing up. We'll see what the Supreme Court comes back with, whether that's a catcher breath or they're really going to say it's all right if the U.S. government doesn't pay its bills. I mean, these court cases will be...

key and there will be many, many of them. But in the meantime, she says, the U.S. government is losing a lot of expertise. From a foreign policy point of view, this is crazy.

You don't just cut off your arm and say, well, we'll figure out later whether or not we needed it. She worries that scenes like this could turn young people away from public service. Outside, we meet Celia, who's asked that we do not use her last name for fear of retribution. She's been working on supporting scientific research around the world, but was fired on Sunday and is here to pick up her belongings. ♪

I think people don't understand the work we do, and so it's easy to ignore. But this is just the first in many, I think. This is an example and a test case of what may come, and that's alarming. She points out that Congress has the power of the purse, but has not stepped in as the Trump administration fires federal workers and refuses to pay for work already done. Congress needs to come out and help us because we're just trying to do the job that they asked us to do.

that they've approved for us to do. And that's bipartisan. That's just bipartisan. Celia doesn't know what she'll do next, but she's talking to her former colleagues who are used to working in difficult places and helping communities in crisis, skills that may now be useful at home. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department. That's State of the World from NPR. Thanks for joining.

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