Media reports USAID shutting down its headquarters

(MENAFN) The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has closed its headquarters in Washington, D.C., with most employees told to stay away from the office, according to multiple media outlets. The move follows President Donald Trump's harsh criticism of the agency's leadership, which he described as "radical lunatics," and his proposal to make significant changes to the organization.

USAID, established in 1961, oversees foreign aid and development programs that promote American interests abroad. An internal email confirmed that on February 3, 2025, the agency's headquarters at the Ronald Reagan building was closed, with personnel instructed to work remotely unless performing essential tasks on-site. More than 600 employees discovered they had been locked out of the agency’s computer systems overnight.

Trump's comments about USAID were reinforced by tech billionaire Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), who has also been a strong critic of the agency. Musk called USAID a "criminal organization" and accused it of funding bioweapon research. He also claimed that Trump agreed that USAID should be shut down.

The closure follows the suspension of most US foreign assistance, with exceptions, as the Trump administration conducts a comprehensive review of foreign aid programs. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that this review will evaluate which programs best serve US interests, leading to increased cooperation from aid recipients.

MENAFN04022025000045015687ID1109165147