A year has passed since thousands of employees, including myself, lost their jobs at USAID. Reflecting on the question “Why us?”, I’ve concluded that the American public had little understanding of what we did and why. This lack of awareness made it easy for false narratives to take hold.
The Doge Campaign Against USAID
Doge, the “department of government efficiency,” began its work in January 2025, singling out USAID as its first target. The reckless campaign was so extreme that even Elon Musk later admitted he would not repeat it. During that chaotic period, Americans lacked the knowledge needed to counter the misleading story Musk promoted, in which he labeled the agency a “criminal organisation” and “a viper’s nest of radical left-marxists who hate America.”
Why USAID Was Vulnerable
The agency’s downfall was not inevitable. It stemmed from a fundamental failure to communicate its value to the public. Unlike Nasa, which enjoys widespread recognition and support, USAID operated in relative obscurity. Most Americans had little idea of the agency’s mission, its achievements, or the global impact of its work. This ignorance created a vacuum that allowed misinformation to flourish.
The Cost of Silence
The consequences have been severe: thousands of jobs cut and billions in foreign aid lost. The purge was not just an administrative decision; it was a reflection of how easily an institution can be dismantled when its story is not told. The lesson is clear: without public understanding and support, even vital agencies are vulnerable to political and ideological attacks.
