USAID Faces Abrupt Shutdown by Trump Administration and Elon Musk
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a cornerstone of U.S. humanitarian efforts abroad, is undergoing a drastic transformation as the Trump administration, backed by Elon Musk, seeks its dissolution. This aggressive move has ignited a fierce response from congressional Democrats, who deem the actions illegal and are preparing to challenge them in court.
In a significant power struggle, Democratic lawmakers attempted to access USAID headquarters on Monday to engage with remaining staff about the agency’s dismantling. However, their efforts were thwarted by security officers, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared himself the acting administrator of USAID, despite its longstanding status as an independent agency for over sixty years.
“Spent the weekend feeding USAID into the wood chipper,” Musk declared on X, highlighting the swift and comprehensive dismantling process. Within weeks, USAID experienced a halt in operations and funding, extensive staff reductions through furloughs and firings, and the agency’s website was taken offline. Lawmakers have reported that USAID’s computer servers were removed during this period.
President Trump stated on Monday that the closure of USAID “should have been done a long time ago” and expressed his belief that congressional approval was unnecessary for such an action.
Democrats Challenge Actions
Democratic senators, joined by a few hundred supporters, congregated outside USAID headquarters to protest the shutdown. Their entry was blocked by federal officers and yellow tape, following Musk’s announcement of the agency’s closure. Sen. Chris Murphy labeled the situation as “a constitutional crisis we are in today,” while Maryland Democrat Jamie Raskin emphasized the undue influence of Musk, stating, “We don’t have a fourth branch of government called Elon Musk.”
Lawmakers have indicated that legal challenges are imminent and have pledged to prevent the confirmation of Trump’s State Department nominees until USAID’s operations are restored. However, with Democrats holding a minority in both the House and Senate, their capacity to influence the outcome is limited.
Secretary Rubio, in a press conference from San Salvador, clarified that while some USAID programs might continue in a new format, the agency itself had become “unaccountable to the executive branch and Congress.” He delegated authority to Peter Marocco, a political appointee known for previous efforts to reduce programs and conduct investigations within USAID.
Impact on Global Aid Efforts
USAID, established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, has been pivotal in advancing U.S. foreign policy through humanitarian, development, and security assistance in over 120 countries. The Trump administration’s freeze on foreign assistance and specific targeting of USAID programs have resulted in the shutdown of numerous initiatives worldwide, including critical HIV/AIDS treatment programs, educational projects for girls in Afghanistan, and Ebola outbreak monitoring in Uganda.
These actions have led to significant disruptions, with thousands of USAID employees facing layoffs and international aid contractors experiencing financial hardships. Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii underscored the importance of USAID, stating, “There is a reason that USAID is an arm of American foreign policy, and it is because we understand that a stable world means a stable America.”
Technological and Administrative Overhaul
More than 600 USAID employees reported being locked out of the agency’s computer systems overnight. Official communications indicated that the headquarters would be closed to agency personnel as of Monday, February 3. The agency’s website was abruptly taken offline without prior notice.
Elon Musk, leading a civilian review of the federal government with President Trump’s support, announced on X Spaces that both he and Trump agreed to shut down USAID. Musk criticized the agency’s functionality, likening it to “a ball of worms” that needed complete elimination.
Under Trump’s directive, appointees from his first term, including Marocco, have removed over 50 senior officials from their positions for investigations without public explanations, severely weakening the agency’s leadership. Attempts by the personnel chief to reinstate these officials resulted in further disciplinary actions.
Over the weekend, two top security chiefs at USAID were placed on leave after refusing to surrender classified materials to Musk’s inspection teams. This follows a similar operation at the Treasury Department, where Musk’s team accessed sensitive information, leading to the resignation of a senior Treasury official as reported by The Washington Post.
Ongoing Challenges
As Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency continues its efforts to restructure federal agencies, the future of USAID remains uncertain. The rapid and unilateral changes imposed by the Trump administration and Musk have raised serious concerns about the legality and implications of dismantling an agency integral to international aid and U.S. foreign policy.