The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) describes itself as "the principal U.S. agency to extend assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms."

Yet following a recommendation from Elon Musk, President Donald Trump appears poised to shut the agency down. 

Musk: Trump "agreed that we should shut it down"

According to NBC News, Musk made the announcement this past weekend during an audio-only appearance on his social media platform X.

"With regard to the USAID stuff, I went over [it] with him in detail, and he agreed that we should shut it down," Musk said of Trump.

"I actually checked with him a few times [and] said, 'Are you sure?'" Musk said of the president before adding that he had responded affirmatively.

NBC News noted that those comments came before Trump criticized USAID while speaking to reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews Sunday.

"It's been run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we’re getting them out, USAID run by radical lunatics, and we’re getting them out, and then we’ll make a decision," Trump was quoted as saying.

Democrats angered by DOGE investigation

What's more, Trump praised Musk's work as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a body which has been tasked with saving tax dollars.

However, NBC News pointed out that Capitol Hill Democrats expressed anger over claims that DOGE staff had attempted to access USAID records.

They included New Hampshire Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who serves as ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"Reports that individuals without appropriate clearance may have accessed classified USAID spaces as well as American citizens’ personal information are incredibly serious and unprecedented," Shaheen said in a statement provided to NBC News on Sunday.

USAID employees told not to report to work on Monday

"We are seeking immediate answers about any implications for our national security and are bringing a group of bipartisan Senators together on this as soon as the Senate comes back tomorrow," she added.

NEW: Employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) based out of D.C. were ordered overnight not to come into the office Monday and to work from home; comes after Elon Musk said that he and President Trump are shutting down the agency. https://t.co/fV0GHwMS0T

— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 3, 2025

Meanwhile, NBC News reported on Monday that USAID employees were instructed not to report to their offices as questions swirl over the agency's future.