3 hours ago
3
USAID (left) and Elon Musk and President Donald Trump
The US Agency for International Development (
USAID
) closed its headquarters to staff on Monday as Elon Musk moved to take control of the agency. Critics have called the action illegal.
Employees were told to stay away from the Washington office after the agency's website went offline over the weekend. US secretary of state Marco Rubio announced on Monday that USAID would now be under his control.
Rubio said that the agency had "long strayed from its original mission of responsibly advancing American interests abroad" and that he was reviewing its operations before a possible reorganization.
Democrats oppose Musk, Trump
Around 600 employees could not access their computer systems, according to ABC News. At the agency's headquarters, police prevented Democrats from entering the public lobby. They joined about 50 demonstrators outside, holding banners that read, "Save USAID, save lives."
Critics accused US President Trump of giving control of policy to Musk, who has not undergone a confirmation process or background check and is a major government contractor.
"This is a brazen attempt by a billionaire who nobody voted for, to illegally and unconstitutionally steal from taxpayers so he can give himself a tax break," said Congressman Jim McGovern.
Congressman Gerry Connolly said that Musk had no legal authority to close an agency created by Congress. "It is a matter of statute. It's a matter for Congress to deal with, not an unelected billionaire oligarch named Elon Musk," he said. "And Elon, if you want to run USAID, get nominated by Trump and go to the Senate. Good luck in getting confirmed."
USAID runs health and emergency programs in about 120 countries. It plays a role in US foreign policy and global influence, including competition with China, where Musk has business interests.
Musk referred to USAID as "a viper's nest of radical-left marxists who hate America" and said he had discussed the move with Trump.
Trump told reporters that Musk "can't do and won't do anything without our approval" but also suggested that he agreed with Musk’s actions.
When asked whether only Congress could shut down USAID, Trump replied, "I don't think so -- not when it comes to fraud. These people are lunatics."
This was the second time in two days that Trump accused USAID of fraud but did not provide details.
Senator Chris Van Hollen called Musk's plan a "corrupt abuse of power" and a "gift to our adversaries" that is "plain illegal."
"Elon Musk may get to be dictator of Tesla, and he may try to play dictator here in Washington DC, but he doesn't get to shut down the Agency for International Development," Van Hollen said.
Although Congress controls the US budget, Musk argues that his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has authority over how funds are used.
