Washington, D.C., February 3, 2025 – The Europe Today: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has closed its headquarters at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C., following a dispute over access to classified materials, according to media reports.
Senior officials at USAID were placed on administrative leave after refusing to hand over classified documents to teams from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The Associated Press reported that, despite initial resistance, DOGE teams eventually accessed some of the agency’s classified information, including intelligence reports.
John Voorhees, a senior USAID official, and his deputy, Brian McGill, reportedly attempted to block DOGE personnel from accessing the documents, citing insufficient security clearance. According to NBC News, the two officials threatened to call U.S. Marshals to prevent unauthorized entry. However, their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.
In a post on X on Sunday, Elon Musk, who has been appointed to lead DOGE, described USAID as a “criminal organization” and declared, “It’s time for it to die.”
Meanwhile, Katie Miller, a DOGE official who previously worked in the Trump administration, stated that no classified materials were accessed without proper security clearances.
The Trump administration has intensified its scrutiny of USAID as part of broader efforts to restructure the federal government. Last week, President Trump considered merging USAID with the State Department, a move aimed at reducing federal expenditures and the size of the workforce.
USAID, established in 1961, provides humanitarian assistance and developmental aid to countries affected by conflict and economic challenges. The agency operates with an annual budget exceeding $50 billion.