Elon Musk and Trump Move to Shut Down USAID
Elon Musk announced plans to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) during an audio discussion on X, stating that he had President Donald Trump’s full support. Musk, who was appointed by Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), called the agency “beyond repair” and a “criminal organization.”
What is DOGE?
DOGE, created through a Trump executive order, is not a formal government agency but has been given significant authority over federal operations. Musk’s team has already moved to control multiple government systems, including the Office of Personnel Management, raising alarms among civil servants and lawmakers.
USAID, which provides billions in foreign aid, has been a primary target of Trump’s cost-cutting efforts. The agency disbursed $72 billion in 2023, funding humanitarian and development projects worldwide. Trump’s "America First" policy has already frozen most foreign aid, threatening programs like landmine clearance, refugee assistance, and HIV treatments.
Tensions escalated when two senior security officials at USAID, John Voorhees and Brian McGill, denied DOGE personnel access to restricted areas over security clearance concerns and were subsequently placed on leave. Reports suggest DOGE representatives later gained entry to classified systems, though White House communications director Steven Cheung dismissed these claims as “fake news.”
Musk defended DOGE’s actions, claiming the agency was riddled with inefficiencies and fraud. He also stated that the Trump administration could cut $1 trillion from the U.S. deficit by eliminating waste, though he provided no evidence for this estimate. Some officials, including Democratic Senator Peter Welch, raised concerns about Musk’s access to sensitive government systems and personal data.
Trump praised Musk’s role in government reform, calling him a “big cost-cutter” and a “smart guy.” However, he acknowledged that there might be disagreements on certain issues. Despite this, Musk insisted that he repeatedly confirmed the shutdown decision with Trump, who assured him, “Yes.”
Musk’s remarks about USAID prompted backlash from critics, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, who accused Trump of granting Musk unchecked access to government resources. She warned that the move could have harmful consequences and urged efforts to push back against the administration’s actions.
The White House, State Department, and USAID have not yet issued official responses regarding the potential shutdown. Meanwhile, USAID’s website remains inaccessible to some users, fueling concerns about the agency’s immediate future.
With USAID responsible for 42% of global humanitarian aid tracked by the UN, its closure could have widespread implications. Whether the shutdown will proceed—and how Congress will respond—remains to be seen.
Image credit: UNICEF Ukraine from Kyiv, Ukraine, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
