WASHINGTON. Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), stated that he discussed the potential closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with President Donald Trump. This conversation occurred during a recent debate at Musk's company, X Spaces.
Musk characterized USAID as a 'criminal organization' and indicated that Trump is in favor of its closure. This follows Trump's decision to freeze nearly all foreign aid funds for 90 days, impacting USAID's budget, which exceeded $60 billion during the Biden administration.
USAID, which assists 180 countries, has been under scrutiny since Trump began his second term. Musk's comments coincide with reports of senior USAID officials being placed on administrative leave after resisting DOGE officials' attempts to access the agency's systems.
Concerns have arisen regarding the potential implications for national security following these events, as DOGE personnel allegedly sought access to classified information. Democratic lawmakers are questioning the legality of Trump's actions regarding the agency.
As of now, USAID's website and social media accounts have been deactivated, raising concerns about the future of its programs aimed at improving living conditions globally.