Tech billionaire Elon Musk announced on social media that he and President Trump are in the process of shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a federal agency primarily focused on foreign aid. Musk stated that this decision had the full support of the president and that he had discussed it with Trump multiple times. The White House has not yet provided a response to Musk’s announcement.
The move to shut down USAID has caused controversy, as it would require Congressional approval to defund a federal agency. The Trump administration’s plan to place USAID under the authority of the State Department has also raised legal concerns. Additionally, Trump has frozen virtually all U.S. foreign assistance pending a 90-day review.
Musk’s announcement came after an incident involving DOGE employees accessing secure USAID systems, which led to USAID’s director of security and his deputy being placed on administrative leave. Musk has criticized USAID as “beyond repair” and “hopeless,” and expressed his plans for sweeping changes, including the removal of regulations.
Members of Congress, such as Senator Joni Ernst, have supported Musk’s actions, but legal experts have raised concerns about the constitutional implications of defunding an agency without congressional approval. Trump’s administration is expected to face legal challenges over the move to shut down USAID.
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