This is not the end

The Battle for USAID Is the Battle for America’s Future

In the last week, USAID foreign service officers received their Reduction in Force (RIF) notices. Remaining contractors got their termination letters. Many foreign service nationals were told that their termination notices are imminent.

Meanwhile, the administration forced USAID workers to sit on their hands while the people of Myanmar reel in the wake of a 7.7-magnitude earthquake.

Amid catastrophic suffering, USAID staff—the crisis experts—have been told their services "are no longer in the best interests of the United States Government," even as China steps in.

It’s hard not to feel powerless.

The final chapter or the turning point?

Some fear this is the final chapter of USAID: that we’re witnessing the inevitable conclusion of an institution that has shaped America’s global leadership for decades. The past few months have been a relentless cycle of whiplash reversals—bright spots of hope quickly extinguished by crashing disappointments. And now, with the latest illegal terminations, it’s natural to wonder if this is the final curtain call.

But history tells us that moments like these aren’t endings—they’re turning points. The administration has fired our staff, shuttered our programs, and severed our partnerships. On paper, USAID as we know it will cease to exist on July 1, 2025. That is a fact.

But whether this marks the end—or the start of something even greater—depends entirely on what happens next.

The fight only stops when we stop fighting

If the American people stop fighting—if they accept this illegal and dangerous dismantling of America’s soft power—then yes, the story might end here. A critical institution dismantled. A beacon of American goodwill and leadership snuffed out.

But that’s not what’s happening.

Lawsuits are gaining traction. Protests are growing. Town halls are packed. Op-eds are being written. Phones are ringing off the hook in congressional offices. Pro-democracy candidates are building momentum.

The resistance is not just alive—it’s accelerating.

Rebuilding better

Look: rebuilding won’t be easy. But USAID employees know how to rebuild. We are the experts in capacity-building, in resilience, in showing up after disasters and putting the pieces back together. We’ve done it for communities around the world, and we will do it for our own.

When the dust settles, we will be ready.

And this time, we will be stronger, more effective, and more prepared. We will take the hard lessons of this corrupt takeover attempt and rebuild a USAID that stands as an unshakable force for American leadership, diplomacy, and humanitarian aid—one that embodies the very best of what this nation represents.

Because the work that USAID and our partners do is just too important to allow any other outcome.

The darkness before the dawn

Every great story has its moment of despair—the "Dark Night of the Soul," when hope seems all but lost and defeat feels inevitable. It’s that critical point when everything appears to fall apart. But it’s also the moment when the hero digs deep, calls on their allies, and refuses to give up.

And make no mistake—this is not just a story. This is real life, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The suffering caused by this administration’s actions is very, very real. The people who will pay the price—the vulnerable, the displaced, the sick, and the needy—are suffering as a direct result of decisions made at the top. It’s not a hypothetical; it’s a tragedy unfolding in real time.

That’s precisely why we cannot allow them to write the ending.

The people of USAID are still standing, and we will keep fighting. Because this mission matters too much.

The world needs us—needs the expertise, the compassion, and the leadership that USAID represents. We will not let America’s commitment to global goodwill, to humanitarian aid, and to standing up for the most vulnerable among us be snuffed out by this administration’s recklessness. We will keep fighting because the stakes are real, and we know the world is counting on us.

What You Can Do

In the stories, the hero only rises again with the help of their friends and teammates. You, dear friends, are the allies in this story.

We can’t do this alone. We need every voice, every hand, every advocate:

• Federal employees, past and present: Your experience matters. Your voice carries weight.

• Community leaders: Your voices spread awareness and rallying others to take action.

• Scientists, health workers, lawyers, educators, lawmakers, journalists: Your expertise, your networks, your advocacy can turn the tide.

• Everyday citizens: You don’t need to work in government to make a difference. Your persistent advocacy and refusal to let the fight die will ensure our mission prevails.

To rewrite the end of this story, we need everyone:

• Call your representatives. Again. And again. And again.

• Show up to town halls and demand answers.

• Spread the word. Write op-eds. Post on your socials. Make noise.

• Vote! Support candidates who believe in democracy, diplomacy, and global engagement.

• Continue to serve. Run for office. Volunteer. Join a board of directors for a cause you believe in. Do your best work as nurses, doctors, firefighters, police officers, educators, and other forms of public service.

This is not a one-time fight. Just as a single executive order can’t destroy democracy, a single lawsuit or protest won’t save it. But through sustained, persistent effort, we can stand up to tyranny.

USAID’s story is not over. And it sure as hell isn’t the end of the great American experiment—a nation built on democracy, fairness, and the belief that we stand for something greater than ourselves. But that only holds true if we keep fighting for it.