USAID headquarters in Washington will be closed on Monday, with employees normally assigned to the office now to work remotely.
In an internal email obtained by ABC News. the message stated that employees normally assigned to the office will work remotely, except for those with essential on-site duties.
“Further guidance will be forthcoming,” the email said.
The closure follows comments from Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), who said he was “in the process” of “shutting down” USAID.
Musk claimed President Trump supported his efforts.
Tensions are rising at the agency, with DOGE staff reportedly taking over offices and senior officials locked out of internal systems.
Employees are being placed on administrative leave, and USAID’s chief of staff resigned. Musk’s agency is asserting control over USAID, which manages foreign aid and international development programs.
On Friday night, a group identifying as State Department employees and DOGE representatives demanded access to USAID offices, even threatening to involve U.S. Marshals when initially denied. Security later allowed their entry.
Musk has been vocal about his stance on USAID, calling it “a criminal organization” on social media. This move has unsettled USAID staff, with one official telling ABC News,
“The warp-speed of this mafia-like takeover has shaken USAID staff to the core.”
Posters and flags were removed from the Ronald Reagan Building, and employees placed on leave had their ID badges and work computers seized.
DOGE spokeswoman Katie Miller denied any unauthorized access to classified material but confirmed the group gained control of several critical USAID systems, including financial management software Phoenix, which led to disruptions in payments for contractors.