Tech billionaire Elon Musk announced plans to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of a broader effort to slash federal spending, claiming support from President Donald Trump.
During an audio-only appearance on his social media platform X early Monday, Musk said USAID would be “fed into the wood chipper,” calling the foreign aid agency “beyond repair.” The move, which has not received congressional approval, comes as Musk leads the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), tasked with federal cost-cutting initiatives.
USAID, created in 1961 under an executive order by President John F. Kennedy, is the world’s largest foreign aid agency. It provides billions in assistance to nations recovering from disasters and poverty-related crises. In fiscal year 2023, USAID disbursed $72 billion in aid globally, supporting projects related to public health, energy security, clean water, and anti-corruption efforts. The agency employs more than 10,000 staff members.
The announcement follows reports that two top security officials were removed after attempting to block Musk’s DOGE representatives from accessing restricted areas of the agency and classified documents. More than 100 senior USAID staff members have reportedly been placed on leave, and as of Monday morning, the agency’s website was inactive.
Democratic lawmakers have strongly opposed the move, arguing that the president does not have the constitutional authority to dismantle USAID without congressional approval.
“No one elected Elon Musk,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., posted on X. “As Donald Trump allows Musk to access people’s personal information and shut down government funding, Republicans in Washington will also own the consequences. We must push back and protect people from harm.”
On Sunday, 10 Democratic senators sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, warning that any efforts to dismantle USAID would require congressional approval.
The reported shutdown follows Trump’s executive order freezing most U.S. foreign aid as part of his “America First” policy. His administration has also discussed transferring USAID’s functions to the State Department.
As part of his federal government overhaul, Musk’s team has reportedly taken control of or gained access to multiple government systems. Late Friday, DOGE secured access to the Treasury Department’s payment system, which processes more than $6 trillion in annual payments for federal agencies, including Social Security and tax refunds. The New York Times first reported the development.
When asked if Musk was handling the cost-cutting initiative well, Trump voiced his support.
“He’s a big cost-cutter,” Trump told Reuters on Sunday. “Sometimes we won’t agree with it, and we’ll not go where he wants to go. But I think he’s doing a great job. He’s a smart guy. Very smart. And he’s very much into cutting the budget.”
