Feb 28, 2025 - News

"Thank you, USAID"

Anna Spiegel,
Cuneyt Dil,
Mimi Montgomery

"You and your mission mattered" signage outside the US Agency for International Development (USAID) headquarters in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. President Donald Trump is failing to comply with a federal judge's temporary restraining order to pay USAID and its partners, a coalitio — A sign outside USAID office in D.C., where employees were told to clear out in 15 minutes. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images

A sign outside USAID office in D.C., where employees were told to clear out in 15 minutes. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Former employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were given just 15 minutes to clear out their D.C. offices yesterday — a cutting end to the Trump administration's gutting of the foreign aid agency and its contractors.

Ambassador Samantha Power (C), former head of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), embraces fired employees and their supporters outside the agency's headquarters as former workers came to collect their personal belongings on February 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. Thousands — Ambassador Samantha Power embraces fired employees. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

A demonstration formed outside, largely made up of former employees, supporters and families.

Ambassador Samantha Power, former USAID head, embraced some in the crowd. The tone was different than at many of the rallies peppering D.C. As Randy Chester, a union organizer, told USA Today, "We're not here to protest. We're here to say thank you."
"It is really just an expression of gratitude and thanks – recognition for their years of service as public servants to the American people."

Supporters hold signs of support outside USAID. — Supporters hold signs outside USAID. Photo: Ting Shen / AFP)

A woman holding an American flag and pulling a suitcase outside USAID — Former employees quickly packed their offices in boxes, shopping bags and suitcases. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Image

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"Thank you, USAID"

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