Turmoil has erupted at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as representatives of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have taken control of offices, prompting the placement of senior staff on administrative leave and significant concern among agency employees.
Sources told ABC News about a dramatic scene last Friday night when individuals claiming to represent DOGE arrived at the USAID offices located within the Ronald Reagan Building. They reportedly demanded access to every office, leading to confusion and tension, as many senior employees found themselves locked out of internal systems.
Reports detail how two top security officials were placed on leave after refusing to allow DOGE members access to classified materials. According to sources, USAID’s Chief of Staff Matt Hopson resigned shortly after being appointed by the Trump administration, amid these tumultuous events.
Elon Musk, who is leading DOGE, has been vocal about his views of USAID, branding it as "a criminal organization" on his social media platform. He stated, "Time for it to die," inciting backlash from within USAID and prompting officials to call the situation a "mafia-like takeover."
Employees at USAID found their work environment dramatically altered as the DOGE team moved swiftly to dismantle the existing structure. Reports indicate posters and flags associated with USAID were stripped from the walls, stacked haphazardly, and various employees had their identification badges confiscated, rendering them unable to perform their duties.
With these changes, approximately 2,000 USAID employees reportedly lost access to their email accounts, creating fears of complete dysfunction within the agency. The USAID website was also taken offline during this upheaval, causing alarm among international development organizations dependent on its resources and data systems.
The chaos has left many questioning the future of USAID and its significant role in administering foreign aid—the largest provider of global humanitarian assistance, contributing around 40 percent of such aid, yet comprising less than 1 percent of the federal budget.
Stakeholders from multiple sectors have expressed concern, with experts warning of the adverse effects felt globally from this abrupt reorganization. Michael Schiffer, former USAID Bureau for Asia assistant administrator, noted, "There is no such thing as a temporary pause... It is difficult to exaggerate the reverberting effects of a stop-work order on organizations managing U.S. foreign assistance programs."
Meanwhile, Musk continues to voice his strong opinions against USAID's operational structures, with many feeling his actions and statements could threaten national security. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez condemned the situation, asserting, "This is a five alarm fire. The people elected Donald Trump to be President - not Elon Musk. Having an unelected billionaire raiding U.S. classified information is a grave threat to national security." This statement reflects the growing concern among lawmakers and officials alike.
Rumors have surfaced about the potential elimination of USAID entirely, leading to widespread anxiety within the agency and among its partners. Reports indicate the Trump administration is considering folding USAID under the Secretary of State, which could radically alter the agency's functions and capabilities.
While Republican committee chair Brian Mast has been supportive of this restructuring, citing the need for "appropriate command and control" over foreign aid efforts, many employees and external stakeholders worry this could lead to reduced effectiveness and diminished global support operations.
The uncertainty surrounding the future of USAID leaves many key roles and responsibilities hanging by the thread. With adjustments happening rapidly at DOGE, some anticipate the remaining USAID personnel will face drastic changes. The fate of the agency and its mission to facilitate international development now rests on political currents reshaping U.S. foreign aid strategies.
The back-and-forth between DOGE and USAID staff marks just the beginning of what could be significant developments affecting humanitarian efforts worldwide. The forthcoming days, weeks, and months will reveal much about the transformative, and often tumultuous, path the agency is expected to tread.