WASHINGTON (AP) – Employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were instructed to stay away from the agency’s Washington headquarters on Monday following claims by billionaire Elon Musk that former President Donald Trump had agreed to shut it down.
According to internal notices, over 600 employees reported being locked out of the agency’s computer systems overnight. Those still with access received emails stating that “at the direction of Agency leadership,” the headquarters building would be closed to personnel on Monday, February 3.
The controversy stems from Musk’s statements during a live session on X Spaces, where he declared that USAID was beyond repair and needed to be dismantled. “It’s not just an apple with a worm in it,” Musk said. “What we have is just a ball of worms. You’ve got to get rid of the whole thing.”
Musk, who has been leading a civilian review of federal agencies with Trump’s approval, has been vocal about his criticisms of USAID, alleging that it promotes liberal agendas. Trump echoed these sentiments, calling the agency “run by a bunch of radical lunatics.”
Over the weekend, the Trump administration placed two top security officials at USAID on leave after they reportedly refused to grant Musk’s review team access to classified materials. The move follows similar actions at the Treasury Department, where Musk’s team allegedly gained access to sensitive government information, leading to a senior official’s resignation.
Democratic lawmakers have condemned the developments, arguing that Trump lacks the authority to dismantle USAID without congressional approval. They also raised concerns over Musk’s unrestricted access to government data. Senator Elizabeth Warren called the situation a threat to public security, urging immediate action to counter it.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, currently on a diplomatic trip to Central America, has not publicly addressed the situation. USAID’s website reportedly went offline over the weekend, further fueling speculation about the agency’s uncertain future.
The Trump administration has already imposed sweeping freezes on foreign aid, forcing thousands of layoffs within USAID-backed programs. Insiders claim that visitors at the agency’s headquarters, believed to be part of Musk’s review team, have been questioning employees about internal operations.
As tensions rise, critics argue that the alleged shutdown of USAID signals a drastic shift in U.S. foreign policy, with global implications for humanitarian aid and international development programs.
