Video shows emotional former USAID workers leave federal building after being placed on leave

Former United States Agency for International Development (USAID) employees were seen leaving the federal building for the last time after a series of layoffs, as captured in a video obtained by Fox News Digital. Dozens of individuals gathered outside the USAID building in Washington, D.C., to show support for the ex-employees who were recently put on leave. They held signs with messages like “you’re not the federal worker that should be fired” and “make America compassionate again.”

The ex-USAID employees were joined by supporters outside the building, protesting the layoffs and carrying their belongings and flowers as they exited the building in a line. One employee’s sign read, “DOGE fired me illegally, and all I got was this stupid sign.”

The layoffs came after the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, conducted a review of the agency and recommended cuts due to identified “wasteful” spending on global programs and initiatives. Following the DOGE probe, the Trump administration placed nearly 1,600 USAID employees on administrative leave globally.

Emotional scenes were captured as workers and supporters bid farewell to the former employees leaving the building. Those who were terminated or placed on leave were given two days, Thursday and Friday, to retrieve their belongings from the building. Employees were allotted about 15 minutes to collect personal items from their workspaces.

USAID issued instructions stating, “Staff will be given approximately 15 minutes to complete this retrieval, and must be finished removing items within their time slot only.” The agency also mentioned that flexibility may be granted in exceptional circumstances with the approval of the Office of Security.

Despite multiple attempts, USAID did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the matter.

The layoffs at USAID have sparked discussions about the impact on foreign aid contracts and the future of the agency. The ex-employees leaving the building signify the end of their time at USAID and the beginning of a new chapter for them. The supporters outside the building continue to advocate for fairness and compassion in federal workforce decisions.