The headquarters of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Washington, D.C., was unexpectedly closed on Monday, with employees receiving a late-night email instructing them to work remotely.
“At the direction of Agency leadership, the USAID headquarters at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C., will be closed to Agency personnel on Monday. Personnel assigned to headquarters will work remotely, except for those contacted individually for essential on-site and maintenance functions,” stated the email, a copy of which CNN obtained.
Mounting Pressure on USAID
The closure follows escalating criticism of USAID from former President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. On Sunday, Musk labeled USAID a "criminal organisation," while Trump described the agency as being "run by radical lunatics," hinting at potential structural reforms or even dissolution.
“USAID has been run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we’re getting them out. Then we’ll make a decision on its future,” Trump remarked during a weekend press briefing, providing no additional details.
The agency has also faced internal turmoil, with 60 senior staff members reportedly placed on administrative leave last week for alleged attempts to bypass Trump’s executive order freezing foreign aid for 90 days. In addition, several junior staff and contractors have been furloughed.
USAID’s Role and Impact
Established in 1961 under President John F. Kennedy’s administration, USAID has long been a cornerstone of US humanitarian and development efforts. With a $42.8 billion annual budget, the agency delivers aid worldwide, addressing poverty, diseases, famines, and natural disasters.
In Bangladesh, USAID’s extensive programmes span food security, health, education, and governance, with a particular focus on addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis. Since 2017, USAID has provided nearly $2.4 billion in aid to Rohingya refugees, making it the largest contributor to the humanitarian response in Cox’s Bazar.
In 2023, USAID initiatives in Bangladesh facilitated over $500 million in sales for farmers and agribusinesses, improved financial accessibility, and provided safe drinking water and sanitation for over 87,000 individuals.
