Elon Musk is once again at the center of a controversial move, this time targeting the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Recent reports indicate that over the weekend, two senior officials at USAID were obstructed from allowing personnel associated with Musk into the agency’s offices, preventing what seems to be an attempt to access sensitive, classified information. These officials have since been placed on administrative leave, raising concerns about the future of USAID.
Elon Musk’s shocking takeover at USAID
USAID is responsible for managing billions of dollars in global aid aimed at combating poverty, famine, and disaster response. As a pivotal agency serving the world’s most vulnerable populations, it has become a target of Musk and his allies, including former President Donald Trump. The duo has previously sought to dismantle vital social safety nets, although federal courts have intervened against such efforts.
Executive orders from the Trump administration have already delayed critical aid shipments and frozen funding for NGOs in crisis-affected areas. Recently, there have been allegations involving 60 senior USAID staff accused of trying to bypass the executive order regarding foreign aid. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended these actions by stating, “The U.S. government is not a charity.”
With leadership sidelined and digital systems compromised, the agency’s capacity to deliver essential aid faces severe risks.
Elon Musk has been vocal on social media, expressing his views on USAID by labeling it “evil” and a “criminal organization.” His rhetoric has stirred controversy and heightened tensions surrounding the agency’s role.
Musk’s influence extends to the Office of Personnel Management, where control over computer systems within the U.S. Treasury has raised alarm. This agency processes $6 trillion in payments, implicating the core functions of the federal budget. The actions taken by Musk’s team could be perceived as undermining the legal frameworks that govern funding decisions, thus raising urgent questions about oversight and accountability.
Currently, USAID finds itself in a precarious position with reports indicating that its entire public affairs office has been placed on leave and locked out of essential systems.
