According to a report by The Washington Post, a senior Treasury official resigned due to Musk's team accessing sensitive information. Democrats warn that Trump does not have the constitutional authority to close USAID without congressional approval. They have also condemned Musk's access to sensitive information guarded by the government through his inspections.
"It has been run by a bunch of radical lunatics. We are going to close it," Musk added. Trump and some Republican lawmakers have lashed out at the aid and development agency, accusing it of promoting progressive causes in humanitarian security and development programs in about 120 countries.
Over the weekend, the government suspended two USAID security chiefs for refusing to hand over classified material to Musk's government inspection teams. Meanwhile, Musk's Government Efficiency Department conducted a similar operation at the Treasury Department to gain access to sensitive information.
USAID staff were instructed not to go to the agency's headquarters in Washington following Musk's announcement that Trump had agreed to close the organization. Some employees reported being expelled from the agency's computer system.
Elon Musk stated that after analyzing the situation, an agreement was reached with Trump to close USAID. "It became evident that it is not an apple with a worm inside, and we are taking them out," Musk remarked. Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not comment on the closure plans.
The Trump administration and Rubio have frozen foreign assistance, affecting USAID's humanitarian programs worldwide. Peter Marocco was involved in the execution of the closure. USAID employees believe members of Musk's DOGE team visited the agency to gather information.
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren expressed her concern regarding Musk's access to personal information and the suspension of government funding. "We must do everything in our power to resist and protect people from harm," Warren said.
