Ilhan Omar accuses Trump of running dictatorship as he works to cut wasteful spending
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., did not hold back in her criticism of President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk on Monday, accusing them of attempting to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and consolidate power in an authoritarian manner. Speaking outside the USAID building in Washington, D.C., Omar, along with several other Democratic lawmakers, condemned the actions taken by Trump and Musk to undermine independent agencies like USAID and reduce spending.
Omar expressed deep concern over the recent developments at USAID, highlighting her personal connection to the agency’s work. As a former refugee who spent four years in a camp where USAID provided essential support, she emphasized the critical role the agency plays in keeping vulnerable populations safe and fed.
In her remarks, Omar criticized Trump and Musk for what she described as an attempt to strip Congress of its constitutional authority to allocate funds. She accused them of seeking to establish a dictatorship by centralizing power and marginalizing the role of elected representatives in decision-making processes.
The congresswoman also took aim at Musk, denouncing his influence over USAID and questioning his motives. She argued that individuals like Musk, who have not been elected or vetted by the American people, should not have the power to dictate the agency’s operations and restrict access for its employees.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., echoed Omar’s sentiments, emphasizing that Congress, not Musk, holds the ultimate authority over USAID. He asserted that lawmakers would challenge any attempts to undermine the agency’s mission and reaffirmed their commitment to upholding constitutional principles.
Meanwhile, Musk responded to the lawmakers’ criticism on social media, accusing them of seeking to exploit USAID for personal gain. He dismissed their protests as self-serving and insisted that the agency’s activities needed to be reevaluated to ensure accountability and effectiveness.
On the other side of the political spectrum, GOP hardliners voiced support for Trump and Musk’s efforts to overhaul USAID. They argued that the agency had deviated from its original purpose and called for significant budget cuts to realign its priorities with national interests.
Conservatives highlighted examples of alleged misuse of USAID funds, such as funding for diversity initiatives in foreign countries and support for controversial projects. They contended that USAID had become a vehicle for advancing partisan agendas rather than promoting American interests abroad.
In response to mounting criticism, the White House announced plans to review USAID’s activities and potentially reorganize the agency under the leadership of Acting Administrator Marco Rubio. The State Department emphasized the need to ensure that USAID aligns with an “America First” agenda and serves the best interests of the American people.
As the debate over USAID’s future continues to unfold, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle remain deeply divided on how to address the agency’s challenges. While Democrats like Omar and Raskin advocate for preserving USAID’s independence and humanitarian mission, Republicans argue for restructuring the agency to better reflect America’s priorities and values. The outcome of this debate will have far-reaching implications for U.S. foreign aid policy and the role of independent agencies in shaping international development efforts.
