Staff at the United States Agency for International Development were informed overnight that the agency’s Washington offices will be closed Monday, according to an email acquired by HeadlinesForever from several sources.
“Agency personnel normally assigned to work at USAID headquarters will work remote tomorrow, with the exception of personnel with essential on-site and building maintenance functions individually contacted by senior leadership,” according to the email. “Further guidance will be forthcoming.”
Elon Musk, the chief of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, said he was “in the process” of “shutting down” the department when the email was sent. Musk claimed to have informed President Donald Trump on his efforts, which he says Trump supports.
A senior USAID official described Musk’s targeting of the agency as a “mafia-like takeover.”
On Monday, Trump told reporters that “Elon cannot and will not do anything without our approval.” And we’ll grant him approval when necessary.”
The president also stated that he does not believe he needs legislative approval to shut down the agency.
“I do not think so. If not, if there is fraud, these folks are insane. And if there is fraud, you will not have a Congressional act. And I don’t think you would anyhow. But we simply wanted to do the right thing. That is something that should have been done long ago. It became insane under the Biden administration. “They went completely crazy,” Trump stated.
According to a White House document, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been appointed acting administrator of the agency, and he has informed Congress that a “review of USAID’s foreign assistance activities is underway with an eye towards potential reorganization.”
In a letter to major congressional committees acquired by HeadlinesForever, Rubio claimed to have the “authority” to make changes to USAID.
“The current foreign assistance systems are extremely inefficient and do not significantly help the American people. USAID and the Department of State share a number of conflicting, overlapping, and duplicative tasks. Furthermore, USAID’s systems and processes are not adequately synthesized, integrated, or coordinated, which frequently leads to disagreements in US foreign policy and relations. “This undermines the President’s ability to conduct foreign relations,” Rubio wrote.
Rubio stated that he has allowed Peter Marocco, a political appointee who served at USAID, State, and the Commerce Department under Trump’s first administration, to serve as deputy administrator to “review” the agency, as well as handle any prospective adjustments.
Rubio stated that the evaluation might result in the suspension or elimination of projects or operations, as well as the closure and reduction of bureaus and offices. He also stated that the assessment might lead to “reducing” the size of the workforce and “contracting out or privatizing” activities performed by federal employees.
Rubio told reporters in El Salvador on Monday, during a Latin America trip, that the agency is “not functioning” and must be aligned with US national interests.
“They’re not a global charity, these are taxpayer dollars,” he informed me. “People ask basic inquiries. What are they doing with their money? We are spending public money. We owe taxpayers guarantees that it serves our national interests.”
The developments exacerbated the ongoing turmoil within USAID, where sources told HeadlinesForever that DOGE staffers have moved to take over offices, escalating tensions as more senior staff members are locked out of internal systems, additional employees are placed on administrative leave, and the agency’s newly appointed chief of staff resigned.
The Musk-led organization is attempting to gain control of USAID, which administers foreign aid, disaster relief, and international development initiatives.
According to sources familiar with the incident, a dramatic scene occurred on Friday night when a group of individuals identifying as State Department employees and DOGE representatives arrived at the USAID offices in the Ronald Reagan Building and demanded immediate access to all offices. It is unclear if DOGE officials have any legal power to make such requests.
“It looked like people who dressed up for their first job interview,” according to one observer.
After being refused access, the group informed security personnel that if they were not allowed in, they would contact the United States Marshals Service, according to reports. The guards eventually consented, according to the source.
Two top security personnel at USAID were placed on administrative leave after refusing to cooperate on Saturday amid the agency’s continuous instability, sources told HeadlinesForever.
According to HeadlinesForever, additional USAID personnel were placed on administrative leave, and several were shut out of internal systems due to conflicts with DOGE members attempting to take over the agency.
During the tumult, USAID Chief of Staff Matt Hopson quit just days after Trump appointed him to the role, according to sources. It was unclear if Hopson’s resignation was linked to changes inside the organization.
However, despite the agency’s shakeup, Musk has been attending USAID staff conversations this week, according to a source familiar with the situation. And as rumors of disputes within USAID surfaced, Musk unleashed a volley of insults on the agency via his social media platform X.
“The USAID is a criminal organization. “Time for it to die,” Musk said in a single post on Sunday, without providing any proof.
When presented with Musk’s tweets on X targeting USAID, a top official from the agency told HeadlinesForever, “The warp-speed of this mafia-like takeover has shaken USAID staff to the core.”
“We’re not criminals. Where are Republican Senators Graham and Risch, who have previously backed the agency’s strong work? “Will they speak out?” The official inquired. “Yes, USAID needs reform, like all agencies, but we’d expect this to come with a degree of thought and involvement from Congress.”
According to sources within the Ronald Reagan Building, posters and banners representing USAID were removed and placed in halls. Some USAID personnel who were placed on administrative leave had their ID cards and work laptops confiscated, according to sources.