USAID Closure Ordered as Musk Advances Agency Shutdown Plans

Elon Musk announced that he is leading an initiative to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), claiming to have the backing of President Donald Trump, who has criticized the agency's leadership as 'radical lunatics.' Following Musk's declarations during a live stream, USAID instructed its employees to work from home on February 3, with reports indicating that over 600 employees were locked out of their computer systems. Musk labeled USAID as a 'criminal organization' and suggested that its operations are irreparably flawed, which has led to significant turmoil within the agency. As part of the ongoing changes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was appointed as the acting administrator of USAID, signaling a potential move to place the agency under the State Department's control. Tensions escalated further when DOGE representatives attempted to assert control over USAID offices, leading to the resignation of the agency's newly appointed chief of staff. The unfolding events highlight a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign aid policy under the current administration.