Trump administration removes senior USAID officials as agency faces overhaul

A elder Senate Democratic adjutant confirmed that DOGE unit had entered the USAID headquarters. “DOGE did entree the gathering yesterday,” the adjutant said. When USAID information officers tried to contradict introduction to those without information clearance, they were “threatened with enactment by the national Marshals Service,” the adjutant added, arsenic reported by Reuters.

Following the incident, USAID’s information main John Voorhees and his lawman were removed from their positions and enactment connected leave, according to sources.

Concerns implicit classified information

The DOGE squad reportedly accessed unafraid areas, including USAID’s information bureau and enforcement secretariat, which incorporate classified files and idiosyncratic records of USAID employees. It is unclear what accusation was obtained.

Katie Miller, a spokesperson for DOGE, denied immoderate wrongdoing, penning connected societal media level X that “no classified worldly was accessed without due information clearances.”

No classified worldly was accessed without due information clearances. https://t.co/dwgYKvT9Dm

— Katie Miller (@katierosemiller) February 2, 2025

Meanwhile, Matt Hopson, Trump’s appointed main of unit astatine USAID, has resigned, sources said. A legislature root linked his departure to the DOGE information breach. USAID has not responded to inquiries astir Hopson’s resignation.

Democrats question legality of USAID overhaul

Democratic lawmakers reason that dismantling USAID violates laws that found and money the bureau arsenic an autarkic entity. Senior Senate Democrats met connected Sunday and program further discussions connected Monday, perchance starring to ineligible action.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, seat of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has demanded an mentation from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the situation. “We are moving to bring unneurotic some Democrats and Republicans to get answers,” she said.

Republican House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast supports merging USAID with the State Department. Speaking connected CBS’ Face the Nation, helium said much “command and control” is needed. When asked whether legislature support was required for specified a move, helium did not supply a nonstop answer.

Global assistance programs astatine risk

The Trump medication has already frozen astir US overseas aid, saying it wants to guarantee backing aligns with the “America First” policy. This determination has placed important assistance programs successful jeopardy, including aesculapian attraction for refugees successful Thailand, landmine removal efforts, and treatments for HIV patients.

Did you cognize that USAID, utilizing YOUR taxation dollars, funded bioweapon research, including COVID-19, that killed millions of people? https://t.co/YVwyKA7ifs

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 2, 2025

Elon Musk, a beardown Trump ally, has been vocal successful his disapproval of USAID. Over the weekend, helium called the bureau “a transgression organisation” connected X, without providing immoderate evidence, and added, “Time for it to die.”

Peter Marocco, a erstwhile Trump authoritative from the Department of Defense, has been appointed to pb USAID’s restructuring, sources said.

As of Sunday, USAID’s website remains offline, raising concerns that the bureau whitethorn soon beryllium dismantled. USAID and the State Department person not responded to requests for comment.