In a dramatic turn of events at USAid, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared himself the acting administrator of the agency on Monday. This announcement followed a late-night email circulated to staffers on Sunday, instructing them not to report to work the next morning. The situation unfolded as Doge, an unofficial government department without a congressionally approved mandate, seized control of USAid’s building access systems. This move effectively locked employees out of their Washington D.C. headquarters and allowed Doge to access emails, creating a significant stir within the federal agency.
The USAid team finds itself under the leadership of a group of six young engineers aged 19 to 24, with one still attending college. This new leadership dynamic has sparked concerns due to their inexperience. Furthermore, the agency has become a focal point in the Trump administration's efforts to assert control over federal spending. The new Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, has given Doge unprecedented "full access" to sensitive personal data of millions of Americans and information about public contractors, raising significant conflict of interest concerns. This access extends to the U.S. Treasury’s highly sensitive database and federal payments system.
Elon Musk has been vocal about his disdain for USAid, labeling it a "criminal organization." He claimed he has conferred with President Trump about plans to shut down the agency, which Trump purportedly supported. Musk further elaborated on his vision for foreign aid, emphasizing a realignment with national interests.
"Our goal was to go in and align our foreign aid to the national interest." – Elon Musk
Rubio’s self-appointment as acting administrator was a response to these escalating tensions. The White House is reportedly considering a merger of USAid into the State Department, with plans to notify Congress soon. This move is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and ensure alignment with presidential policies.
"To significantly reduce the size of the workforce for efficiency purposes and to ensure their spending is in line with the president’s agenda." – An unnamed senior official
USAid plays a crucial role in global humanitarian efforts, managing approximately $43 billion in aid across 130 countries. In 2024 alone, it provided 42% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations. The U.S. disbursed $72 billion worldwide in fiscal year 2023 on programs addressing women's health, clean water, HIV/AIDS treatments, energy security, and anti-corruption efforts.
The sudden changes at USAid have sparked significant debate and concern among political leaders and international stakeholders. Chris Van Hollen voiced his apprehensions about the potential ramifications of these developments.
"This is a clear and present danger for the future of our country. Make no mistake, this effort by Elon Musk and so-called Doge to shut down the agency is an absolute gift to our adversaries, to Russia, to China, to Iran and others." – Chris Van Hollen
Two senior USAid security officials faced suspension on Sunday for obstructing Doge officials from entering restricted areas. This incident underscores the growing tensions and challenges facing the agency amidst these sweeping changes.
"If you go from mission after mission and embassy after embassy around the world you will often find, in many cases, that USAid is involved in programs that run counter to what we’re trying to do in our national strategy with that country or region. That cannot continue." – Elon Musk