USAID staff were instructed to work remotely after being told to stay home due to a potential shutdown. The move follows claims from Elon Musk that President Trump plans to shut down USAID. Senior security officials at the agency were also placed on administrative leave amid the changes.
Staff members of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Washington, D.C., were instructed to stay at home on February 3, 2025, due to a potential government shutdown. An email was sent to employees after midnight informing them that the USAID headquarters would be closed for the day. The notice emphasized that most employees should work remotely, except those with essential duties, such as on-site building maintenance personnel.
This unexpected closure follows recent statements by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and X, claiming that President Donald Trump has agreed to shut down USAID. Musk revealed during a Sunday evening X Spaces stream that he had discussed the move with Trump, who confirmed plans to dismantle the agency. Reports suggest that Trump may issue an executive order to relocate USAID's operations to the State Department.
Meanwhile, two senior security officials at USAID have reportedly been placed on administrative leave after allegedly preventing personnel from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is overseen by Musk, from accessing classified materials in restricted areas. This situation has sparked growing concerns about the agency's future and the potential impact on international aid efforts globally.
As the situation develops, USAID staff and the public are closely monitoring the ongoing changes that could reshape U.S. foreign aid initiatives.
