The Director of Security and deputy at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were placed on administrative leave after they prevented Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employees from accessing secure USAID systems. The DOGE employees reportedly threatened to call U.S. Marshals, gained access to the systems, and Elon Musk, the head of DOGE, called for USAID to be shut down. President Trump supported Musk’s actions and criticized USAID as being run by “radical lunatics.” Democratic senators raised concerns about the breach of security and access to classified information by DOGE employees. There are discussions within the Trump administration about placing USAID under the authority of the State Department, which has raised legal concerns and prompted a near-total freeze on U.S. global assistance. Over 1,000 USAID employees and contractors have been fired or furloughed as a result. The atmosphere at USAID headquarters is tense, with employees feeling unsafe and under surveillance. The website for USAID was shut down, leaving many employees in disarray. The situation is ongoing, with accusations and concerns from various parties involved, including lawmakers and officials within the administration.
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