State Department layoffs hinder U.S. response to Iran and Ebola crises
One year after the Trump administration laid off 1,350 State Department employees and folded USAID into State, former federal workers and Democratic lawmakers held a press conference near the U.S. Capitol, arguing the cuts have damaged U.S. diplomatic and crisis response. They cited hindered Ebola outbreak response in Central Africa and Iran peace negotiations led by real estate developers instead of career diplomats. The State Department defended the reorganization, claiming improved response speed.
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Ex-feds say U.S. pays price in Iran and Ebola crises a year after State layoffs
One year after the Trump administration laid off 1,350 State Department employees and folded USAID into State, former federal workers and Democratic lawmakers argue the cuts have damaged U.S. crisis response. At a Capitol Hill press conference, ex-USAID deputy director Megan Fotheringham displayed a 1976 plaque symbolizing lost expertise amid a current Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. Rep. Gregory Meeks criticized real estate developers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for leading Iran peace negotiations without diplomatic experience. Former foreign service officer Maryum Saifee said volunteers fluent in Arabic were told not to work during the Iran war. The State Department defended the reorganization, claiming faster response times. A new bill would exempt laid-off foreign service officers from retaking the Foreign Service Officer Test to rejoin.
Ex-Feds Warn US Paying Price for State Department Layoffs in Iran and Ebola Crises
One year after the Trump administration laid off approximately 1,350 State Department employees and folded USAID into the State Department, former federal workers and Democratic lawmakers warned that the cuts are damaging U.S. global standing and crisis response. At a press conference near the U.S. Capitol, speakers cited an ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa and the resumption of hostilities in Iran as evidence of diminished capacity. Former USAID deputy director Megan Fotheringham highlighted a symbolic plaque from the 1976 Ebola response as representing lost expertise. Lawmakers criticized real estate developers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for leading Iran peace negotiations without diplomatic experience. Former foreign service officer Maryum Saifee said experts were ordered not to work on the Iran evacuation task force. The State Department defended the reorganization, claiming it has improved response speed and effectiveness.
Ex-Federal Workers Say State Department Layoffs Hamper Iran and Ebola Responses
One year after the Trump administration laid off approximately 1,350 State Department employees and folded USAID into the State Department, former federal workers and Democratic lawmakers argue the cuts are damaging U.S. global standing. At a press conference near the U.S. Capitol, former USAID deputy director Megan Fotheringham highlighted how the loss of institutional expertise has hindered response to a current Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. Speakers also criticized the handling of Iran peace negotiations, noting that real estate developers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are leading talks instead of career diplomats. Former foreign service officer Maryum Saifee said experts fluent in Arabic were ordered not to work on evacuation efforts when war broke out in Iran. The State Department defended the reorganization, claiming it has improved response speed and effectiveness, citing responses to Hurricane Melissa and a Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire.
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Ex-Federal Employees Say State Department Layoffs Hamper Iran and Ebola Responses
One year after the Trump administration laid off approximately 1,350 State Department employees and folded USAID into the State Department, former federal workers and Democratic lawmakers argue the cuts are damaging U.S. global standing and crisis response. At a press conference near the U.S. Capitol, former USAID deputy director Megan Fotheringham highlighted how the loss of institutional knowledge hindered the response to an ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. Speakers also criticized the handling of Iran peace negotiations, noting that real estate developers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were sent to draft a memorandum of understanding instead of career diplomats. Former foreign service officer Maryum Saifee said she and other Arabic-speaking experts were barred from volunteering for evacuation task forces during the Iran war. The State Department defended the reorganization, claiming it has improved response speed and effectiveness.
Read sourceEx-feds and Democrats say State Department layoffs harming U.S. response to Iran and Ebola crises
On the one-year anniversary of State Department layoffs affecting 1,350 employees, Democratic lawmakers and former federal workers held a press conference arguing the cuts are damaging U.S. foreign policy. Former USAID deputy director Megan Fotheringham displayed a plaque symbolizing 50 years of U.S. commitment to stopping Ebola, noting the current outbreak in Central Africa is being hindered by the shuttering of USAID. Lawmakers cited the Iran peace negotiations, where real estate developers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are leading talks instead of career diplomats, as evidence of diminished competence. Former foreign service officer Maryum Saifee said she and others fluent in Arabic were told not to staff the Iran evacuation task force. The State Department defended the reorganization, claiming it has improved responsiveness and efficiency.
Read sourceEx-feds and Democrats say State Department layoffs harming US response to Iran and Ebola crises
On the one-year anniversary of State Department layoffs that affected 1,350 employees, Democratic lawmakers and former federal workers held a press conference arguing the cuts have damaged U.S. diplomatic and crisis response capabilities. Former USAID official Megan Fotheringham displayed a plaque symbolizing 50 years of U.S. commitment to stopping Ebola, noting the current outbreak in Central Africa has been hindered by the shuttering of USAID. Lawmakers cited the Iran peace negotiations, where real estate developers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were sent instead of career diplomats, as evidence of diminished expertise. Former foreign service officer Maryum Saifee said volunteers fluent in Arabic were told not to work on the Iran evacuation task force. The State Department defended the reorganization, claiming it has improved response speed and effectiveness.
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