The United States Agency for International Development has been ordered to shut down by Friday amid Elon Musk‘s efforts to dismantle it, calling it a ‘criminal organization.’
The State Department is now working diligently to recall thousands of staff members across the world, two sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters.
The employees were told by Peter Marocco, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, that all USAID staff members and their families should be recalled back to the United States by Friday – though that deadline could be delayed.
If the State Department failed to bring home the foreign employees, the staff would be evacuated by the US military, according to CBS News.
USAID employees in many bureaus at the agency’s headquarters in Washington DC also received a memo that they are being placed on administrative leave, according to PBS NewsHour correspondent Lisa Desjardins.
It said they must be available to report to work ‘if directed to do so,’ and must be available by phone and email during normal business hours.
But they are ‘not to enter USAID premises, access USAID systems or attempt to use your position or authority with USAID in any way without my prior permission or prior permission of a supervisor in your chain of command,’ wrote Marocco, the newly-appointed deputy administrator for the agency.
Two employees who were placed on administrative leave said each agency bureau has been directed to leave a ‘skeleton crew’ to help identify programs to be shuttered.
Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk dismantled the United States Agency for International Development
All overseas missions for the United States Agency for International Development was shut down by the US State Department Tuesday
The move comes as President Donald Trump‘s administration is planning to merge USAID – Washington’s primary humanitarian agency that distributes billions of dollars worth of aid abroad – with the State Department.
The president had previously ordered a freeze on most foreign aid on his first day in office, saying he wanted to ensure it aligned with his America First platform.
Dozens of USAID workers were then put on leave last week under stop-work orders, while hundreds of internal contractors were laid off.
By Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he was taking over as acting head of the agency – which he said was ‘completely unresponsive’ as he accused staff members of being ‘unwilling to answer simple questions’ about its programs.
He also informed Congress in a letter about the pending reorganization of the agency, saying some parts of USAID might be absorbed by the State Department while others will be completely abolished.
The agency had employed more than 10,000 people, about two-thirds of whom served overseas, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
