The Trump administration has ousted two top security officials at USAID after they attempted to block Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) representatives from restricted areas, sources confirmed. This move adds to nearly 100 senior staff removed as Trump pushes to bring USAID under State Department control.
DOGE officials accessed secure spaces, including classified files and personnel data, despite security officers attempting to deny entry. Following the incident, USAID’s security director John Voorhees and his deputy were placed on leave. Matt Hopson, USAID’s chief of staff, also resigned, sources said.
Congressional Democrats argue the shake-up violates laws preserving USAID’s independence. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Jeanne Shaheen has demanded answers from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while legal action is being considered. The aid freeze, part of Trump’s "America First" policy, is already impacting global programs, including refugee camps and HIV treatment initiatives.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast supports integrating USAID into the State Department for "greater command and control." Trump ally Musk, assigned to a federal cost-cutting panel, has criticized USAID, calling it a "criminal organization." His DOGE team has made frequent visits to USAID headquarters.
Peter Marocco, a former Defense Department official, now oversees USAID’s restructuring. Meanwhile, the agency’s website has been down since Saturday, raising speculation about its future.
With USAID's independence in jeopardy, the shake-up signals a major shift in U.S. foreign aid policy, potentially reshaping global humanitarian efforts.