Musk Proposes Closing USAID as Headquarters Shuts Down

Synopsis

On February 3, Elon Musk urged the shutdown of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), a significant aid organization, during a discussion with President Trump. Amid staffing changes, USAID's headquarters will operate remotely, raising questions about its future role in international assistance.

Key Takeaways

Elon Musk wants to shut down USAID.
USAID is a major source of US foreign assistance.
Musk labeled the agency a criminal organization.
USAID headquarters will be closed on Monday.
Recent partnerships by USAID have secured $380 million in resources.

Washington, Feb 3 (NationPress) Elon Musk, the technology mogul leading an agency appointed by US President Donald Trump to enhance the effectiveness of the federal government, expressed on Monday his desire to terminate the US Agency for International Development (USAID). This autonomous entity within the State Department is recognized as one of the world’s most significant official aid organizations, representing over half of America’s foreign assistance.

"I discussed it thoroughly with him, and he concurred that we should dissolve it," Musk stated regarding the agency on X. "I even confirmed with him multiple times [and] asked, 'are you certain'?"

"The response was affirmative," he declared. "Thus, we are proceeding with its closure".

Musk additionally labeled the agency a "criminal organization".

Although President Trump has not publicly commented on Musk's statements, his supporters have indicated that the administration aims to follow an 'America First' strategy across all matters. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced the significance of this principle in US diplomacy during his inaugural remarks at the State Department.

Established in the 1960s, USAID has a longstanding history of collaboration with various nations, including India. Recently, on Saturday, two senior USAID officials were dismissed for obstructing personnel from the Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing certain areas within the USAID headquarters in Washington D.C.

Eventually, DOGE officials gained access.

In an email, USAID staff were informed that the agency would be closed on Monday. "Personnel typically assigned to USAID headquarters will work remotely… except for those engaged in essential on-site and building maintenance duties who will be contacted individually by senior leadership," the email stated.

According to a 2021 archived webpage, USAID has recently established 34 public-private partnerships that have raised an additional $380 million in funding. However, the latest data regarding USAID's operations in India is currently unavailable.