USAID faces shutdown amid reform efforts by Trump and Musk

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Monday, February 3rd, 2025

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Washington, February 3 – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is facing an uncertain future after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced his acting leadership role. This follows Elon Musk’s recent statement, confirming that President Donald Trump has signed off on shutting down the agency, a move aimed at overhauling the federal government.
On Monday, USAID’s headquarters in Washington was closed, with employees instructed to remain at home. The agency’s website and social media platforms were taken down, replaced with a minimal page on the State Department’s website. The agency’s core staff and contractors were also locked out of their systems overnight.
USAID, founded in 1961 to provide humanitarian aid worldwide, has long been criticized by Trump and Musk, with claims that it is overtly partisan. Trump’s administration aims to dismantle the agency, placing its functions under the State Department. However, Democrats contend that the dissolution of an independent agency requires Congressional approval.
Amid these upheavals, USAID workers expressed their concerns, with some contractors stuck overseas without guidance on their future. The removal of the agency’s logos and artwork from offices marked a symbolic effort to erase its presence.
In addition to the turmoil at headquarters, two senior security officials were placed on leave after refusing to grant access to USAID systems for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Despite claims of proper security clearances, the controversy surrounding classified data remains unresolved.
This restructuring of USAID comes as part of a broader executive order to freeze foreign aid for 90 days, disrupting vital programs aimed at global health, poverty alleviation, and democracy building.