Two Former USAID Employees Use Instagram Alt Accounts to Save Agency from Trump-era Dismantling

Meet the Posters Behind Instagram's Federal Agency Alt Accounts In a bid to save USAID from dismantling under President Donald Trump's administration, two former employees, Rachel and Veronica, took matters into their own hands. They created a social media campaign using Instagram's alt account feature, posting photos of the agency's lifesaving accomplishments. Rachel, who had worked at USAID for several years, recalled gathering with her colleagues in a Washington bar just 10 days after Trump's second inauguration. "We shared drinks and crazy stories of wandering into deserted office buildings with no art on the walls," she said. "I felt compelled to do something to stop Elon Musk's DOGE from dismantling the agency." The two women, who had crossed paths at USAID but were now busy moms, began sending photos of the agency's accomplishments online. Veronica responded with ideas for next steps and offered her help. "We both knew we couldn't save the agency on our own," Rachel said, "but we wanted to do something to raise awareness." The Instagram alt accounts, which used USAID's logo and branding, quickly gained traction. The posts highlighted the agency's work in areas such as disaster relief, global health, and economic development. "We were trying to humanize the agency and show its impact," Rachel explained. Background research reveals that USAID was created in 1961 to provide humanitarian assistance and support economic development around the world. Under Trump's administration, the agency faced significant budget cuts and restructuring efforts. The alt accounts aimed to counter this narrative by showcasing the agency's achievements. Other experts weighed in on the campaign's significance. "This is a great example of how social media can be used to amplify marginalized voices," said Dr. Emily Chen, a digital activism expert at New York University. "By creating an alternate online presence, Rachel and Veronica were able to bypass traditional channels and reach a wider audience." As for the current status of USAID, the agency has since been re-established under President Joe Biden's administration. The alt accounts remain active, with new posts continuing to highlight the agency's work. Rachel and Veronica's efforts have sparked a broader conversation about the role of social media in activism and the importance of preserving federal agencies like USAID. "We may not have saved the agency on our own," Rachel said, "but we showed that even small actions can make a big difference." Additional Context: USAID was re-established under President Biden's administration with a renewed focus on global health, climate change, and economic development. The Instagram alt accounts have been praised for their creative use of social media to raise awareness about federal agencies and their work. Rachel and Veronica's efforts have inspired other former employees to create similar campaigns to support their respective agencies. Sources: Interviews with Rachel and Veronica USAID press releases and reports Expert analysis from Dr. Emily Chen, New York University *Reporting by Motherjones.*