More than 600 employees at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) reported being locked out of their computer systems overnight, according to the Associated Press. The disruption came as USAID staff members also received an email stating that, "at the direction of Agency leadership," the headquarters facility would be closed to personnel on Monday, February 3. The move follows recent remarks from Elon Musk, who has been leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative and has publicly advocated for shutting down USAID. Musk stated in a conversation on X Spaces that President Donald Trump agrees with closing the agency, and he indicated that the process is already in motion. Musk described USAID as "beyond repair," comparing it not to an apple contaminated by a worm but rather to "a bowl of worms." "There is no apple," Musk said. "It's beyond repair." The closure marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign aid policy, as USAID has long played a role in distributing funds and resources to countries around the world. The agency, which was founded in 1961, has historically operated under the direction of the State Department and has been a key instrument in U.S. diplomatic and humanitarian efforts. However, critics of USAID have raised concerns about inefficiency, waste, and a lack of oversight in how taxpayer dollars have been allocated. Musk has been outspoken about his stance on USAID in posts on his social media platform, X. He has called the agency "a criminal organization" and stated that it was a "viper's nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America." Musk also commented on the developments over the weekend, writing, "We spent the weekend feeding USAID into the wood chipper. Could [have] gone to some great parties. Did that instead." His remarks have drawn mixed reactions, with supporters of the closure praising the effort as a move to eliminate government waste, while opponents argue that shutting down USAID could have significant consequences for international aid and diplomacy.
USAID's future remains uncertain, as shutting down a federal agency typically requires congressional approval. The Biden administration previously sought to expand USAID's funding and programs, but under the Trump administration, efforts to scale back foreign aid spending and reassess USAID's mission have taken center stage. Neither the State Department nor USAID has issued an official statement on the status of the agency or the reported staff lockouts. However, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are expected to address the situation in the coming days, with Democrats raising concerns about national security implications and the legality of closing the agency. Musk, who has grown increasingly involved in government affairs under the Trump administration, also spoke about his personal views on the president. "Frankly, I love the guy. He's great," he said, signaling strong support for Trump's leadership.
As the situation unfolds,
USAID employees and government officials await further clarification on the agency's status and what steps, if any, will be taken to formally dissolve it.
