Demonstrations Erupt After USAID Announces Mass Employee Leave and Overseas Postings Recall
On Wednesday, thousands gathered near the US Capitol in protest after the shocking announcement that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) would be recalling thousands of employees from their overseas postings and placing nearly all of its workers on leave. The decision, revealed on Tuesday evening, came shortly after nearly 1,000 contractors were laid off or furloughed, and the USAID website and its X account were removed from public access.
Under grey skies, protesters rallied, chanting “Let us work!” and “USAID! USAID!” as tensions over the cuts and agency actions continued to mount. Prominent voices at the demonstration included Jeremy Konyndyk, a former USAID health official under Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, who warned that the cuts would have dire consequences. “The attempt to kill USAID will kill people,” Konyndyk said, addressing the crowd and members of Congress. He pointed out that international competitors like Russia and China were likely celebrating this move, further escalating concerns about the future of the agency’s vital work.
The rally underscored growing frustration within the international development community and among supporters of USAID, as the agency’s future hangs in the balance.
