Last Updated 5/15/25

As the labor union and professional association of the U.S. Foreign Service, AFSA provides expert insight on issues affecting the Foreign Service workforce. We work closely with the press to advocate for our members, offer informed analysis, and ensure that the stories of America’s diplomats and development professionals are heard. Please click here to read our most recent press releases.

Media Contacts

• Nikki Gamer, Director, Communications & Outreach
• Nadja Ruzica, Deputy Director, Communications & Outreach
  

AFSA in the News

• AP: Trump can’t strip Foreign Service workers of their collective bargaining rights, judge says
• CBS News: USAID to hire lawyers to investigate employees who talked to the press, alleged job posting shows
• Politico: Empty ambassador posts alarm natsec vets
• CBS News: Federal workers spoke to reporters after DOGE fired them. Now they face investigation.
• Government Executive: Rubio denies that Trump will politicize the Foreign Service and slash embassies
• France 24: Trump eyes gutting US diplomacy in Africa, cutting soft power: draft plan
• NPR: Big Changes at the U.S. State Department
• Washington Post: Trump plan would slash State Dept. funding by nearly half, memo says
• Devex: USAID foreign officers to be repatriated, local staff fired by Aug. 15th
• USA Today: Foreign Service union representing 18,000 workers sues Trump administration
• AP: Trump appointment of junior official to oversee State Department personnel meets resistance
• Reuters: Trump administration appoints junior officer to oversee US Foreign Service, sources say
• NY Times: Trump Administration Fires U.S. Aid Workers in Quake Zone in Myanmar
• Washington Post: Trump seeks court approval for most aggressive union-busting attempt ever
• CBS News: What Trump's silencing of Voice of America means for listeners worldwide | 60 Minutes
• Axios: Employees, agencies take legal action to save government-funded media
• CBC: U.S. federal workers clamp down on their communications in climate of DOGE-induced fear
• CNN: Voice of America channels fall silent as Trump administration guts agency and cancels contracts
• Government Executive: Workers and partners make renewed push to block Trump’s dismantling of USAID
• NY Times: U.S.A.I.D. Official Orders Employees to Shred or Burn Classified and Personnel Records
• NBC News: USAID employees told to burn or shred classified documents
• Forbes: USAID Dismantling Disrupts U.S. Workforce
• NPR: The State Department braces for looming cutbacks by the Trump administration
• CBS News: State Dept. claims it's sparing life-saving efforts from USAID cuts, but some groups say it's "not true"
• WTOP: Former USAID employees cheered as they go to their offices one last time
• PBS: USAID workers clear out belongings after mournful final visit to agency under federal guard
• USA Today: 'Least I can do': Supporters applaud as USAID employees given 15-minutes to clear out
• ABC News: USAID worker blames 'stress and strain' of Trump’s aid freeze for wife's pregnancy scare
• CBS News: With the dismantling of USAID, is the Trump administration defying the Constitution?
• NY Times: New Trump Executive Order Calls for ‘Reform’ to the U.S. Diplomatic Corps
• NBC News: Trump's foreign aid cuts scramble young public servants' career plans
• WBUR: Fear and concern pervades federal foreign service workforce
• Bloomberg: US Diplomats Told by Union to Prep "Go Bag" of Digital Records in Case of Ouster
• PBS Newshour: Fate of USAID in question as judge sets back efforts to dismantle the agency   
• CNN: Union president on suing administration over massive USAID changes  
• BBC News: Foreign Service union criticizes plans for USAID, says 'several dozen' staff placed on leave   
• NPR: 'Thank you for your service': Administration puts USAID staff on leave
• Newsweek: Admin Puts Almost All USAID Workers Worldwide on Leave
• Scripps: USAID employees posted outside of the US to be placed on administrative leave
• CNN: Rapid dismantling of USAID leaves workers around world concerned for safety and futures
• NY Times: Appointees to Put Almost All U.S.A.I.D. Workers on Leave
• NBC News: USAID announces nearly all direct hires will be placed on administrative leave
• AP: Administration is pulling almost all USAID workers off the job worldwide
• NBC News: Lawsuits imminent over dismantling of USAID
• Federal News Network (podcast): What foreign aid officers say about what's going on at USAID
• Market Watch: Why buyout offers are a hard sell for employees
• San Francisco Chronicle: Elon Musk Brought Down USAID. Can the Court Save it?

Hometown Voices

• Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Opinion | Dana Deree: Outside the norm
• WCBD News 2 Charleston: The future of diplomacy
• San Diego Union Tribune: Opinion: Funding cuts are the hidden costs of America’s retreat from global health
• Portland Press Herald: Opinion: USAID is good for the world, the country and Maine
• KOIN CBS 6 Portland: Former US Ambassador addresses ‘disturbing’ shutdown of USAID
• Portland Tribune: Former ambassador saw positive impact of USAID while abroad
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Trump's new America is worse than a banana republic
• Bangor Daily News: Trump Ukraine meeting puts US security in jeopardy
• The Bellingham Herald: Trump’s dismantling of USAID harms U.S. interests and is a gift to our competitors
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Cybertruck's a perfect symbol for America's new diplomacy
• NPR 1A Podcast: Donald Trump and Elon Musk are targeting USAID
• Austin American-Statesman: Why a lifelong USAID officer, ambassador in Texas warn dismantling the agency is a mistake
• Detroit Lakes Tribune: I worked with USAID during seven presidencies. Killing it will only hurt our farmers and help China
• Rappahannock News: Not America the Beautiful, but America the Cruel?
• The Berkshire Eagle: Pushing back against letter-writer's attack on USAID
• Portland Press Herald: Campaign against USAID is foolhardy, misinformed
• The Providence Journal: Cutting USAID weakens our alliances, emboldens our adversaries
• Boulder Daily Camera: Letters to the editor: The American people need USAID; the time to speak up and act is now; selling ourselves slavery
• The Charlotte Observer: Destroying USAID will be a disaster for NC and national security
• Honolulu Star: No time to dismantle USIAD amid heightened competition
• Pacific Daily News: USAID, a key to diplomacy
• The Times Union: USAID is more than a handout. It's a tool of international diplomacy.
• WHO Des Moines: Ambassador Kenneth Quinn on cuts to USAID and NIH
• KGW News Portland: Former US ambassador questions USAID cuts by Trump administration
• K5 Seattle: Retired ambassador critical of Trump's proposed USAID closure
• Hawaii Public Radio: Former U.S. ambassador on tensions in the Pacific and efforts to shut down USAID
• First Coast Connect: 'Chaos' here and abroad

Podcasts

• World Affairs Council of Charleston: US Diplomacy in the 21st Century
• History As It Happens: The Rise and Demise of U.S.A.I.D.
• Today, Explained: Silencing the Voice of America