Bush, Obama, and Bono all appeared via videoconference to speak directly to USAID staff as the agency was officially shuttered following a federal probe into corruption and abuse. Media were not present, but clips from the event were reviewed by the Associated Press.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the closure of USAID on Tuesday, saying “this era of government-sanctioned inefficiency has officially come to an end. Under the Trump

Gutting USAID is a travesty, and it’s a tragedy. Because it’s some of the most important work happening anywhere in the world,” Obama said.