A former USAID employee, Adam Tomasek, recounted his experience of being barred by security from taking a last photo of a memorial for his late wife, a fellow foreign service officer. The incident occurred as many USAID staff were abruptly dismissed after the Trump administration's actions to significantly cut the agency's funding and operations. Tomasek's emotional plea highlights the personal toll of these changes, which saw 90% of USAID's contracts terminated as part of wider budget cuts.
"I explained my story to him, and he said, 'No, we have instructions,' Tomasek said. 'You are not allowed. No photos, no videos.'"
"My first wife passed away; she was honored on the memorial wall. I wanted to take another photo to send her mother."
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