The biggest blow against the Deep State is taking form this week as all employees of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) received a memo Tuesday night informing them they are being put on administrative leave at the end of the week.
The memo came from Pete Marocco, a senior State Department official tapped by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to lead USAID following the removal of executives by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
According to the memo:
“The purpose of this memorandum is to inform you that you are being placed on excused absence (also known as administrative leave) with pay effective immediately, pursuant to ADS 480. You will remain on administrative leave with pay until otherwise notified.”
President Donald Trump noted on Tuesday that he’d “like to see what the kickbacks are” as DOGE and the State Department begin their investigations into USAID.
BREAKING: Trump just called for investigations to find out who's getting kickbacks from all the ludicrous money spent at USAID.
Now you know why Democrats are sweating.
They know the Hammer of Justice is coming.
CC: @DOGE pic.twitter.com/nKeih6m6Cq
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) February 4, 2025
USAID “direct hires” are civil and foreign service workers, according to the Congressional Research Service, known as CRS. There are other mechanisms by which people work with USAID.
The number of workers affected by Tuesday night’s notice is in the thousands.
Here’s the memo:
🚨 #BREAKING: USAID staff are receiving a notice placing them on administrative leave – ABC / @wsteaks pic.twitter.com/QpKJ9qc84P
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 5, 2025
The official USAID website echoed the memo’s sentiment:
On Friday, February 7, 2025, at 11:59 pm (EST) all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programs. Essential personnel expected to continue working will be informed by Agency leadership by Thursday, February 6, at 3:00pm (EST).
For USAID personnel currently posted outside the United States, the Agency, in coordination with missions and the Department of State, is currently preparing a plan, in accordance with all applicable requirements and laws, under which the Agency would arrange and pay for return travel to the United States within 30 days and provide for the termination of PSC and ISC contracts that are not determined to be essential. The Agency will consider case-by-case exceptions and return travel extensions based on personal or family hardship, mobility or safety concerns, or other reasons. For example, the Agency will consider exceptions based on the timing of dependents’ school term, personal or familial medical needs, pregnancy, and other reasons. Further guidance on how to request an exception will be forthcoming.
Thank you for your service.
This is just the beginning. Investigations into USAID activities could yield further repercussions. This story will be updated when more details are known.
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