An internal email sent to staff overnight, obtained by NBC News, informed employees that the USAID headquarters at the Ronald Reagan Building would be closed on February 3, 2025. The message instructed all personnel to work remotely, except for those performing essential on-site duties, and added that “further guidance will be forthcoming.” No official reason was provided in the email, but the sudden closure comes shortly after Musk publicly announced plans to dismantle USAID.
In the early hours of Monday morning, Musk—who has been advising Trump and leading the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—revealed that he and Trump were actively working to close USAID. DOGE isn’t an official government agency but has been at the forefront of Trump’s efforts to slash federal programs and reduce bureaucracy.
“With regard to the USAID stuff, I went over [it] with [Trump] in detail, and he agreed that we should shut it down,” Musk said. He even claimed to have double-checked with the president, who reportedly confirmed, “Yes.”
Adding to the confusion, USAID’s website went offline Monday morning, displaying an error message stating that the server’s IP address couldn’t be found.
Founded in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, USAID has served as the U.S. government’s primary international development and humanitarian organization. The agency employs over 10,000 people worldwide, with about two-thirds stationed overseas. USAID has played a critical role in providing humanitarian aid, development support, and economic assistance in conflict zones, including Ukraine, Gaza, and other regions impacted by war and natural disasters.
However, Trump administration officials are reportedly considering folding USAID into the State Department, effectively ending its independence as a standalone agency.
The situation at USAID has been tense for days. On Saturday, the agency’s director of security and his deputy were placed on administrative leave after trying to block DOGE-affiliated personnel from accessing USAID’s secure systems.
“No one feels safe to go anywhere near the Ronald Reagan building,” one USAID official told NBC News. “We just had Elon Musk call us a criminal organization. Our security chief was escorted out. We know we are being surveilled by DOGE.”
If Trump and Musk follow through on their plans, it could mark the end of more than six decades of U.S.-led global development and aid efforts.
For now, USAID staff are left in limbo, awaiting further instructions as the Trump administration moves closer to dismantling the agency.
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