**”Department of Government Efficiency Surprises USAID Headquarters”**
**USAID Staff Suspended, Building Closed**
**Towards Closure… Likely to be Absorbed by State Department**
**”Challenge to Congressional Power” “Unconstitutional” Criticism Abounds**
On the 1st of the month (local time), a Saturday, the headquarters of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Washington was almost empty when personnel from the ‘Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)’, led by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, unexpectedly stormed in. They demanded access to the building and attempted to enter the Security Controlled Information Facility (SCIF) where classified documents are stored. USAID’s security officials blocked their way, stating that only persons with top-level security clearance could enter, which led to a standoff.
When no compromise seemed possible, a DOGE official called Musk, who warned USAID security officials, “If you don’t allow access, I will bring in Federal Marshals.” The USAID, being a significant part of the Trump administration, had no choice but to concede. The DOGE team eventually succeeded in accessing the classified areas.
Bloomberg News referred to this incident on the 3rd as the climax of the tension between DOGE and USAID. Following this, two senior security officials were dismissed, and about 100 USAID employees were placed on administrative leave, akin to suspension. By Monday the 3rd, the USAID headquarters was completely closed. Musk stated on X (previously known as Twitter), “I discussed this issue in detail with President Trump, and he agreed that USAID should be shut down,” further noting, “We are now in the process of closing USAID.”
USAID is now on the path to de facto dissolution. Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, currently on a tour in Central America, remarked, “USAID often works against our efforts,” announcing that he will also serve as Acting Director of USAID, thereby formalizing its closure by integrating it into the State Department.
**”Cuts to USAID Budget Could be Disastrous”**
In fact, USAID became practically obsolete on the 20th of last month, when President Trump signed an executive order to freeze U.S. foreign development aid for 90 days under his “America First” foreign policy. USAID, which has been leading the United States’ foreign aid efforts, managed a budget of approximately $44.2 billion last year, supporting a total of 130 countries, including major beneficiaries like Ukraine, Ethiopia, Jordan, Congo, and Somalia.
However, according to President Trump, this expenditure is ‘wasteful,’ and reducing it necessitates the closure or downsizing of USAID. Counterarguments, however, are strong. Miriam Deloffre, a professor at George Washington University, warned in the Wall Street Journal, “Cutting USAID’s budget could potentially halt medical, food, and maternal support, making it a very deadly measure.” Matthew Kavanagh, a professor at Georgetown University, criticized that “The State Department is responsible for foreign policy and not effectively positioned to perform humanitarian aid activities.”
**Trump Defends Musk, Claims “He is Doing Good Work”**
The real issue is that USAID’s closure is being spearheaded by non-elected figures like Musk. The Washington Post highlighted that “SCIF is a highly secure facility, and a special security process must be followed to review the national secrets stored there,” but the DOGE team that requested SCIF access only had some members with security clearance, effectively exercising extralegal powers. Despite this, President Trump merely praised Musk during the DOGE-USAID standoff on the 2nd, stating, “Musk is doing good work.” The New York Times noted, “Musk’s anti-government campaign is shaking Washington, causing confusion and upheaval.”
American society’s concerns are increasing. Tim Kaine, a Democratic U.S. Senator, pointed out, “If people without security clearance accessed national confidential facilities, it poses a severe national security threat.” Particularly, restructuring federal agencies without congressional approval is deemed by many as “a violation of federal law” and “unconstitutional.” CNN reported that legal experts view the Trump administration’s closure of USAID as an act challenging congressional power. Kavanaugh emphasized, “Articles 1 and 2 of the U.S. Constitution assign the establishment and dissolution of agencies to Congress,” declaring that “the president unilaterally eliminating a government agency is clearly unconstitutional.” Steven Vladeck, another professor at Georgetown University, remarked, “We have never seen a president attempt to arbitrarily dismantle an agency established by Congress,” indicating that the situation was venturing into unknown territory.