USAID Worker Forced to Abandon Dog After Trump Cuts

A U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) worker said in a new legal filing that he was forced to abandon his dog amid budget cuts authorized by President Donald Trump.

Why It Matters

USAID is the international humanitarian and development arm of the U.S. government, established by then-President John F. Kennedy in 1961.

On January 20, Trump signed an executive order issuing a "90-day pause in United States foreign development assistance for assessment of programmatic efficiencies and consistency with United States foreign policy." The State Department then issued stop-work orders on USAID foreign assistance awards and over one thousand USAID contractors were laid off or furloughed.

The American Foreign Service Association and American Federation of Government Employees are suing Trump and several others, alleging the administration acted illegally and unconstitutionally in dismantling the agency.

"Without agency partners to implement this mission, U.S.-led medical clinics, soup kitchens, refugee assistance programs, and countless other programs shuddered to an immediate halt," the complaint said.

What To Know

In a declaration filed on Tuesday, Nathan Doe shared his experience fleeing the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after protests erupted.

Doe said he is a foreign service officer and deputy office director with USAID in the DRC.

He said violent protests erupted in the city of Kinshasa on January 28. The protesters attacked embassies and diplomatic installations, including the U.S. Embassy and a U.S. diplomatic residence.

Doe said he was escorted in a convoy with his wife and three children to a "staging residence" at 3 a.m. They arrived in Brazzaville via boat on January 29.

The family spent one night in Brazzaville before boarding a charter plane to Washington, D.C., according to the declaration.

"We were able to flee with only four backpacks—leaving behind our dog and every household possession we own," Doe wrote.

He said he was "uncertain" if USAID could pay for the trip and reimburse his expenses given the agency's freeze on resources. He also said he was worried he was committing a funds control violation, because "there was no guidance from Washington on whether we could obligate funds to cover the cost of travel."

"The anguish of being forced to leave Kinshasa in the middle of the night, traveling for 3 days, arriving in DC and having not only any guidance, but no answers and no one to turn to was incredibly stressful," Doe said.

Doe said he is experiencing "mental and physical anguish and exhaustion."

The plaintiffs are asking the court to set aside the decision to shut down USAID.

What People Are Saying

USAID worker Nathan Doe said in a declaration: "I am wondering if I will ever get any of more household effects back—things like baby books and my children's toys as a result of the continued threat in Kinshasa—and at the same time, wondering if I have a job."

Elon Musk said on X (formerly Twitter): "We spent the weekend feeding USAID into the wood chipper."

What Happens Next

A preliminary injunction hearing in the case is scheduled for Thursday in front of District Judge Carl J. Nichols.

Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.