Washington, D.C. – Hundreds of U.S. government websites, including those of major federal agencies, were found to be inaccessible on Monday, raising concerns over transparency and public access to critical information.
An official government list indicated that more than 350 out of nearly 1,400 websites had gone offline. Among those affected were sites associated with the Departments of Defense, Commerce, Energy, Transportation, and Labor.
The websites of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Supreme Court were also listed as down, further amplifying worries about the extent of the disruption.
It remains unclear exactly when the sites became unavailable or whether the removals were temporary or permanent. Some observers have speculated that the shutdowns may be linked to cost-cutting measures implemented under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Elon Musk Tasked with Reducing Government Spending
The move comes as President Trump has reportedly enlisted billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, to spearhead efforts to reduce public spending.
In a video posted on his social media platform X, Musk singled out the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), calling it “hopeless” and declaring, “It has to go.”
He claimed that Trump agreed with his assessment, fueling speculation that USAID’s digital presence might be among the casualties of budget cuts.
LGBT and Public Health Information Removed
Alongside the website closures, reports have emerged that references to LGBT communities and issues have been scrubbed from various government health agency websites.
The apparent removal aligns with Trump’s pledge to end what he describes as “transgender ideology,” a stance that has garnered support from his conservative base.
The administration has also moved to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal agencies, furthering its efforts to reshape public policy in line with conservative priorities.
Experts Warn of Public Health Risks
The removal of health-related content, particularly regarding AIDS and other infectious diseases, has drawn sharp criticism from medical professionals and advocacy groups.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) called the disappearance of such information “deeply concerning.”
“This creates a dangerous gap in the data needed to monitor and respond to epidemics,” the IDSA stated, warning that a lack of accessible information on diseases like mpox, AIDS, and other sexually transmitted infections could pose a significant public health risk.
While the administration has yet to comment directly on the removal of health-related content, critics argue that eliminating vital public health information could have long-term consequences.
Uncertain Future for Government Transparency
The widespread unavailability of government websites has sparked concerns over transparency and accessibility of public resources.
As investigations into the website outages continue, federal agencies have not provided a timeline for restoration or clarification on whether the removals are part of a broader restructuring effort.
With Trump’s administration pushing aggressive cost-cutting measures and ideological shifts, the future of digital public resources remains uncertain, leaving many Americans questioning the impact on government accountability and public access to essential services.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members