Deepshikha Maan, Jadetimes Staff
D. Maan is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia
Employees Directed to Stay Home Amid Musk’s Shutdown Claims
On Monday, employees of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) were instructed to remain at home following remarks from billionaire entrepreneur and Trump adviser Elon Musk, who declared his intent to close the agency.
Musk, who holds no official government position, made these comments amid ongoing turmoil within the agency. The situation escalated after two high ranking security officials were placed on administrative leave. Additionally, the agency’s website has been non-functional since Saturday, further exacerbating uncertainty within the organization.
Trump’s Stance on USAID’s Future
While Musk expressed a firm intention to shut down USAID, President Donald Trump provided a less conclusive perspective on the matter. Speaking to reporters on Sunday evening, Trump described the agency as being run by "a bunch of radical lunatics."
"We’re getting them out," Trump stated, "and then we’ll make a decision." Over the past week, Musk has criticized USAID while attempting to exert influence over the organization.
Musk’s Role in the Effort to Restructure Government Spending
Musk is leading the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), a team that, while not an official government body, has been granted significant authority by Trump to streamline and reduce government expenditures. However, Musk lacks the legal authority to unilaterally shut down a federal agency, raising questions about the legitimacy of such an attempt.
Taking to his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), Musk labeled USAID as "evil" and a "criminal organization." In a live-streamed session on X early Monday, he reinforced his position, stating, "You’ve got to basically get rid of the whole thing. It’s beyond repair... We’re shutting it down."
Operational Disruptions and Employee Lockouts
Following these developments, employees stationed at USAID’s Washington, D.C., headquarters were instructed to stay home. Reports indicate that hundreds of employees also lost access to their email accounts. An internal email obtained by the BBC confirmed these disruptions.
Potential Restructuring of USAID Under Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Speculation is growing that an effort may be underway to bring USAID, which was originally established through congressional legislation, under the direct oversight of Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
Republican Congressman Brian Mast, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated in an interview on "Face the Nation" that USAID is "likely going to be rolled more closely under Secretary Rubio."
Far Reaching Implications for Global Aid Distribution
Whether USAID faces complete dissolution or significant restructuring, the changes being advocated by Musk and Trump could have profound consequences. USAID is responsible for distributing billions of dollars in aid to non governmental organizations (NGOs), humanitarian groups, and nonprofit entities worldwide. With its website down, access to critical resources, including an international famine tracker and decades of aid records, has been disrupted.
Leadership Turmoil and Security Clashes
The agency has also faced internal upheaval, with senior officials resigning or being placed on administrative leave. The Washington Post and CNN reported that members of Musk’s Doge team clashed with USAID security officials after requesting access to a highly secure area designated for reviewing classified information.
As a result of these conflicts, USAID’s Director for Security, John Vorhees, and Deputy Director for Security, Brian McGill, were both placed on administrative leave, according to CBS News. In addition, Chief of Staff Matt Hopson, a key political appointee, has resigned, as reported by the Washington Post.
The future of USAID remains uncertain as Musk continues to advocate for its shutdown while Trump weighs potential actions. The agency’s current disruptions, coupled with leadership instability and questions regarding legal authority, suggest that major changes are on the horizon. Whether USAID is ultimately dissolved or restructured, the outcome will have lasting impacts on U.S. foreign aid policy and global humanitarian efforts.
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