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Thursday, Jan 29, 2026

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Shutdown of USAID Headquarters in Light of U.S. Government Reduction Initiatives

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency spearheads efforts to close the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has shuttered its headquarters in Washington, D.C., directing employees to telecommute.

This decision is a result of directives from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk, which aims to downsize the federal government.

President Donald Trump has been critical of USAID's functions, labeling the agency's management as 'radical left lunatics.' Elon Musk has also voiced concerns over the agency’s effectiveness, describing it as 'a ball of worms.'

In light of these changes, USAID’s official website has gone offline.

The agency, responsible for managing U.S. foreign aid and development initiatives, is currently in the midst of a reorganization supervised by the State Department.

These measures are part of a wider initiative by the Trump administration to streamline federal operations and cut government expenditures.

The Department of Government Efficiency was created to spearhead this effort and has been reviewing various agencies for possible restructuring or shutdown.

The future of USAID remains unclear as the reorganization process unfolds.

Employees have been instructed to wait for further guidance regarding their roles and the agency’s operational status.
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