Tue Feb 04 05:31:13 IST 2025: ## Musk to Oversee USAID Shutdown in Controversial Government Restructuring

**Washington D.C.** – The Trump administration is undertaking a major restructuring of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), with plans to merge the agency into the State Department and significantly reduce its workforce. This controversial move, spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk, has sparked widespread criticism.

A senior White House official confirmed that the plan is under discussion, aiming to improve efficiency and reduce spending. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that he has assumed control of USAID, citing the agency’s perceived lack of cooperation with the administration’s agenda. He emphasized the need for a thorough review.

However, the restructuring has taken a dramatic turn with the announcement by Elon Musk, a close advisor to President Trump, that USAID will be shut down entirely. Musk, who has called the agency a “criminal organization,” has overseen the immediate lockout of around 600 USAID employees from their computer systems and instructed staff not to come to work.

President Trump has defended Musk’s actions, stating they are fully approved and that Musk will avoid any conflicts of interest. Despite this reassurance, Musk’s unprecedented involvement and the abrupt shutdown of USAID have drawn considerable backlash, with critics accusing him of overstepping his authority. The administration is expected to formally notify Congress of the restructuring plans soon. The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration, supported by Musk, to streamline government operations, a policy initiative that remains highly contentious.

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