Trump’s rapid dismantling of USAID leaves workers around world concerned for safety and futures

The Trump administration’s rapid moves to dismantle the US Agency for International Development have left thousands of workers scrambling to figure out what comes next and scores of those posted in dangerous hotspots around the world afraid for their safety.

The Trump administration’s rapid moves to dismantle the US Agency for International Development have left thousands of workers scrambling to figure out what comes next and scores of those posted in dangerous hotspots around the world afraid for their safety. CNN spoke with numerous USAID employees around the world who expressed shock as they brace for large swaths of the workforce to be put on leave on Friday night. Hundreds posted abroad have had their lives upended and are waiting for answers on when and how they will return to the US – a massive undertaking expected to cost US taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. “We are all emotionally distraught,” one USAID diplomat posted overseas told CNN. “We feel like psychological warfare is being waged against us.” “It’s beyond surreal. It feels like a cruel joke,” said another USAID official posted in a sensitive location. “I am US diplomat, here on a diplomatic passport, and yet I am now kicked off of all embassy systems designed to keep diplomats and their families safe?” Over the last few days, thousands of contractors, including those who function as diplomats abroad, have been put on leave or locked out of critical agency systems. On Tuesday evening, officials who are direct hires of the US government began receiving leave notice. Later that night, the agency informed its workforce that “all USAID direct hire personnel,” with a few exceptions, “will be placed on administrative leave globally” on Friday at 11:59 p.m.