Fire me twice, shame on ... you


Thousands of USAID employees were let go on Sunday — but less than 48 hours later, some received a second email terminating them immediately. The notice, signed by Kenneth Jackson, USAID’s assistant to the administrator for management and resources, stated simply that their firing was “in the best interest of the U.S. Government.”

The chaotic purge has left staff scrambling for answers, especially since earlier communications suggested they’d have time to wrap up their work. The exact number of second firings remains unclear, and the State Department isn’t offering explanations, writes Elissa.

Meanwhile, appeals seem like a dead end — staff were told they could contest their termination on discrimination or whistleblower grounds, but the process comes with “limited rights” and little clarity. To make matters worse, the head of the department responsible for handling appeals was fired earlier this month.

For those caught in the turmoil, the confusion — and the fallout — only continues.

USAID staff members were also told to come pick up their personal belongings from the agency’s Washington, D.C., headquarters. They will have 15 minutes to do so, they must bring their own boxes and tape, and they won’t be reimbursed for transport or parking costs.

“It’s going to be emotional,” one USAID staff member tells my colleague Sara Jerving. “Fifteen minutes is nowhere near enough time to pack up over a decade with the agency, never mind to shred and destroy documents, as needed. It’s, of course, part of the mental game of telling us that USAID is dead.”

They were also given a lengthy description of all the things they can't bring to the pickup. This included nunchucks, swords, cattle prods, billy clubs, and brass knuckles.

Read: Previously fired USAID staff dismissed again — this time, immediately

Plus: USAID staff given 15 minutes to pick up belongings from headquarters