US Agency for International Development workers many in tears carted away belongings through cheering crowds in a final visit to their now-closed headquarters Thursday as the Trump administration's rapid dismantling of the congressionally authorized agency moved into its final stages.
Notices sent out in mass mailings this week are terminating over 90% of USAID's contracts for humanitarian and development work around the world, and the Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a judge's order requiring the administration to release billions of dollars in foreign aid.
The administration notified most USAID staffers in recent days that they were on leave or being fired, then gave thousands of those who worked in the Washington headquarters 15-minute time slots to clear out their desks under the escort of federal officers.
Some staffers wept as they carried out grocery bags and suitcases with what was left from their life's work.
Heartbreaking, 25-year-old Juliane Alfen said, carrying a