The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is facing one of its most significant shakeups in history as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to restructure the agency. Over 100 senior career staff have been placed on leave in what critics are calling a political purge.
Sweeping Changes and Security Breach
The restructuring comes as Trump’s team moves to bring USAID under tighter State Department control. In an unprecedented development, nearly 30 staff members from the agency’s Legislative and Public Affairs bureau lost access to their emails overnight, according to sources.
Security concerns were raised when personnel from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) attempted to access the USAID building without security clearances. When USAID security officers tried to block their entry, they were allegedly threatened with action by the federal Marshals Service. Following the incident, USAID’s Director of Security, John Voorhees, and his deputy were placed on leave.
Trump defended the move, stating that USAID had been “run by a bunch of radical lunatics” and that the administration was taking necessary steps to “clean house.”
Impact on Global Aid Programs
The upheaval at USAID follows a global freeze on most U.S. foreign aid, a move that has already disrupted critical humanitarian programs worldwide. Key initiatives at risk include:
- HIV/AIDS treatment programs affecting millions in developing countries.
- Field hospitals for refugees in regions like Thailand and the Middle East.
- Landmine clearance operations in war-torn areas.
African nations that rely on USAID assistance for healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development may see significant funding reductions. Experts warn that the freeze could deepen humanitarian crises in vulnerable regions.
Political and Legal Fallout
Democratic lawmakers are pushing back, arguing that the changes violate U.S. laws that establish USAID as a separate agency. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led by Senator Jeanne Shaheen, has demanded explanations from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Meanwhile, Republican House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast supports moving USAID under State Department control, arguing that foreign aid needs “more command and control.” It remains unclear whether congressional approval is required for Trump’s changes or if the administration can act unilaterally.
Elon Musk Joins the Attack on USAID
Adding to the controversy, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, a vocal Trump ally, took to social media to denounce USAID. Without providing evidence, Musk called the agency a “criminal organization” and declared, “Time for it to die.”
Sources indicate that DOGE officials—linked to Musk’s cost-cutting panel—have made multiple visits to USAID headquarters in Washington in recent weeks. Their involvement has raised concerns about the administration’s broader strategy for foreign aid.
The Future of USAID
USAID’s website has been offline since Saturday, signaling further instability within the agency. With its budget funding initiatives from women’s health in conflict zones to energy security and anti-corruption programs, the agency’s fate remains uncertain.
As the legal battle over the administration’s actions unfolds, African governments and international NGOs will closely monitor developments. A prolonged disruption could reshape America’s role in global development—leaving critical gaps that may take years to fill.
