USAID Headquarters Closes as Trump Considers Agency Shutdown

The headquarters of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was unexpectedly closed on February 3, 2025, with employees instructed to work remotely after receiving late-night notices. This directive aligns with President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's ongoing efforts to reform the federal government, as both have expressed strong criticism of USAID, labeling it as partisan and ineffective. Musk stated in an X Spaces conversation that Trump agreed to shut down the agency, which has faced a funding freeze and suspensions of key personnel. Many USAID employees reported feeling anxious and frustrated by the lack of direct communication regarding the agency's future. The closure follows a pattern of aggressive actions against USAID, including the suspension of top officials who resisted Musk's Department of Government Efficiency from accessing sensitive information. Critics, particularly Democrats, argue that Trump lacks the authority to dismantle the agency without Congressional approval.