As part of its efforts to dismantle the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Trump administration has barred staff from entering the agency’s Washington, DC, headquarters. This decision comes after Elon Musk was appointed to supervise government efficiency and the majority of US foreign aid was frozen, both of which have caused strong political opposition.
Lawmakers are protesting the sudden changes at USAID, and some senators have threatened to thwart confirmations from the State Department in retaliation. There may be major repercussions for both US foreign policy and international development initiatives if USAID, which manages billions of dollars in humanitarian aid worldwide, closes.
Government Locks Out Aid Agency as White House Moves Towards Closure
On Monday, USAID employees were barred from entering their offices, and hundreds were reportedly locked out of their email accounts. This action follows an order by President Donald Trump to freeze most US foreign aid, a policy shift justified by the administration as a move to align aid with an “America First” approach.
USAID, created in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, plays a crucial role in distributing billions in foreign assistance, funding projects in global health, disaster relief, economic development, and conflict resolution. In the last fiscal year alone, the US disbursed $72 billion in foreign aid, of which USAID managed a significant portion. With its closure, humanitarian programmes worldwide face disruption, with projects in health, food security, and refugee support particularly at risk.
The Trump administration has signalled that USAID’s functions may be absorbed into the State Department, with some programmes potentially abolished altogether. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been named acting head of USAID, argued that the agency has been “completely unresponsive” and involved in projects that contradict US foreign policy objectives. However, critics warn that dismantling USAID could weaken US global influence, undermine diplomatic efforts, and impact vulnerable populations dependent on American aid.
Musk’s Expanding Role Raises Concerns Over Governance
The billionaire CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, Elon Musk, has been more involved in the Trump administration’s reorganization of the federal government. Using the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an unauthorized organization, to supervise cost-cutting initiatives, Musk has been outspoken in his criticism of USAID, calling it a “radical-left political psy-op.”
While DOGE lacks official government status, reports suggest it has gained access to sensitive financial systems at the US Treasury and has pushed for cuts across multiple agencies. Over the weekend, two senior USAID security officials were placed on leave after reportedly refusing to provide classified documents to DOGE personnel.
Musk’s influence over US policy has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who argue that no private individual should wield such authority over federal agencies. Senators Brian Schatz and Chris Van Hollen have pledged to block State Department confirmations until the USAID situation is addressed. “We don’t have a fourth branch of government called Elon Musk,” said Representative Jamie Raskin, underscoring concerns over the billionaire’s unchecked power in government decision-making.
With USAID’s website down and many of its key personnel on leave, the future of US humanitarian aid remains uncertain. The White House insists that its foreign assistance strategy will continue, but the impact of USAID’s potential dissolution is already being felt in crises worldwide.
