Foreign aid agency USAID in crisis as Trump, Musk threaten shutdown
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is facing a significant crisis, with President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk launching attacks on the agency over the weekend. As a result, USAID staffers were instructed to stay out of the agency’s Washington headquarters on Monday, with some employees even being locked out of the computer systems.
The situation escalated when Musk, during a live session on his social media platform X, stated that Trump had agreed to shut down USAID, calling for the agency to be abolished entirely. This came after two top security officials at USAID were placed on leave for refusing to turn over classified material to Musk’s government-inspection teams.
Musk’s comments have been criticized as “wildly unhinged” by Democratic lawmaker Jason Crow, who highlighted USAID’s crucial role in preventing famine and promoting democracy. Despite this, Musk continued to advocate for the closure of the agency, labeling it a “criminal organization.”
The Trump administration’s freeze on foreign assistance has caused confusion and uncertainty globally, with programs like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) facing funding delays. The aid pause has led to the closure of African organizations receiving PEPFAR funding, impacting millions of lives across the continent.
In addition to targeting USAID, Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has gained access to sensitive Treasury data, including Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems. This raises concerns about the potential misuse of taxpayer data by an unelected billionaire with his own foreign debts and motives.
Critics, including Democratic congress member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have denounced Musk’s actions as a threat to national security, emphasizing the need for elected officials to oversee such sensitive information. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how USAID and other foreign aid programs will navigate the challenges posed by the Trump administration and Musk’s influence.
