Elon Musk and Trump Plan to End USAID Operations
Elon Musk, appointed by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), announced that he and Trump have agreed to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), describing it as “beyond repair.”
This decision follows a series of events where DOGE representatives accessed USAID’s classified information without proper security clearances, leading to the administrative leave of two top USAID security officials who had attempted to deny this access.
In response to these developments, USAID staff have been instructed to avoid the agency’s Washington headquarters, and many have reported being locked out of the agency’s computer systems. The agency’s website and social media accounts have also been taken offline.
Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns over the legality of shutting down USAID without congressional approval and the potential negative impacts on U.S. foreign policy and humanitarian efforts.
USAID, established in 1961, has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign assistance, administering billions of dollars in global humanitarian aid. The proposed shutdown aligns with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to reduce federal programs and staff.