'Fired me illegally': Emotional ex-USAID employees leave building with belongings after mass layoffs

The ex-USAID employees were met by supporters outside protesting the layoffs, carrying their belongings and flowers as they left the building together in a line.

"DOGE fired me illegally, and all I got was this stupid sign," one employee's poster read.

Workers and supporters were seen getting emotional as the former employees left the building, images captured by Fox News Digital showed.

Those fired or placed on administrative leave were given two days, Thursday and Friday, to enter the building and collect their belongings, according to instructions from USAID.

Employees were given about 15 minutes to collect personal belongings from their workspaces.

"Staff with a significant amount of personal belongings to retrieve must be cognizant of time; however, flexibility may be granted in select circumstances with the approval of the Office of Security," the agency said.

USAID did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.