USAID Attacked

February 3, 2025

U.S. Agency for International Development
Accessed Feb 3, 2025
“This site can’t be reached”

U.S. Agency for International Development: An Overview
Congressional Research Service
January 6, 2025

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead international humanitarian and development arm of the U.S. government.

 

Top Security Officials at Aid Agency Put on Leave After Denying Access to Musk Team
New York Times
Feb. 2, 2025
By Edward Wong et al

The two top security officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development were put on administrative lead Saturday night after refusing to give representatives of Elon Musk access to internal systems.

And the agency’s chief of staff, Matt Hobson, a Trump administration political appointee who had started his job days ago, has resigned.

Last week, Trump administration appointees suspended about 60 senior officials and fired hundreds of contractors. Mr. Trump disparaged the agency, telling reporters that it was run by “radical lunatics.” He also praised Mr. Musk as “very smart.”

“USAID is a criminal organization” Mr. Musk wrote in a social media post.

Employees of U.S.A.I.D.’s Washington, D.C. headquarters have been told to attend a Tuesday staff meeting at which they are expecting to be informed of a significant reduction in the workforce. Staffers of U.S.A.I.D. have been given strict instructions not to speak publicly about the staffing cuts or other changes underway at the agency. The U.S.A.I.D. website went dark on Saturday. Some of the signs at the agency’s headquarters have been removed.

ChatGPT
Our Inquiry: What is happening at USAID?

ChatGPT response:

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is currently undergoing significant upheaval due to recent actions by the Trump administration. President Donald Trump, with support from tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, has initiated efforts to dismantle USAID, aiming to integrate its functions into the State Department. This move aligns with the administration’s “America First” policy and involves a comprehensive review and suspension of U.S. foreign aid programs.  (reuters.com)

As part of this initiative, over 100 senior career staff members at USAID have been placed on administrative leave. This action followed an incident where two senior security officials were removed after attempting to prevent personnel from Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing restricted areas within the agency. Musk has been vocal about his desire to dissolve USAID, describing it as a “criminal organization” and asserting that it is beyond repair.  (politico.com)

The agency’s online presence has also been affected; its main website and social media accounts have been taken offline. Additionally, USAID employees at the Washington headquarters received unexpected instructions to stay home, further indicating the agency’s uncertain future.  (cnn.com)

These developments have raised concerns among international partners and humanitarian organizations that rely on U.S. aid. Critics argue that dismantling USAID could undermine global humanitarian efforts and diminish U.S. influence abroad, potentially creating opportunities for other nations, such as China, to expand their reach in international development.  (bloomberg.com)

In summary, USAID is facing a transformative period marked by administrative restructuring, staff reductions, and a reevaluation of its role in U.S. foreign policy. The full implications of these changes are still unfolding and warrant close monitoring.

 

Comment by: Don McCanne & Jim Kahn

Yesterday’s Health Justice Monitor discussed the human suffering caused globally as President Trump halts US foreign health aid. Today’s report describes the latest development: destruction of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), charged with providing other nations with desperately needed humanitarian assistance. The cost is only 0.6% of our federal budget; the yield in human benefit and international good will is incalculable.

Global health spending in USAID is $7 billion, with a similar amount in PEPFAR, together just 0.2% of the US federal budget. Recently, Trump also undermined global public health capacity by exiting the World Health Organization.

These actions were taken incredibly rapidly, in the 14 days since Trump returned to the White House. They are illegal (disbanding approved programs) and counter to the interests of our nation. Trump is keeping and exceeding his promises, all to benefit his government-hating billionaire supporters. In the process he is destroying US democratic governance and the post-WWII international order. Consistent with the most dire warnings during the election.

This situation constitutes an EMERGENCY: without action on our part, we will see democracy rapidly crumble around us. We must immediately respond, of course without the violence that they are wreaking. Nonviolent massive demonstrations, lawsuits (already happening), and demands that the president and his crime partners resign or face impeachment. And insistence that the Supreme Court clarify that actions taken in defiance of constitutional duties are criminal. The exact shape of the resistance is not yet clear, but we urge creativity in saving our democratic government and fostering humanitarian and national health. Failure to act quickly and powerfully will result in damage that will take decades or even longer to repair.

Enough of mere contemplation of the politics of this disastrous situation. We need ACTION!