Elon Musk says: Donald Trump has agreed to shut down USAID Security

Bittime - Elon Musk, tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), recently revealed that Donald Trump agreed to close the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). 

This decision comes after an incident involving unauthorized access to USAID security systems by the DOGE team. This incident raises serious concerns regarding information security and the future of the agency.

On Saturday, USAID Security Director, John Voorhees, and his deputy, Brian McGill, were relieved of their duties after refusing to give DOGE employees access to secure systems. 

The DOGE team attempted to access personnel files and security information that should only be accessible to individuals with proper permissions. Katie Miller, a former Trump administration employee, emphasized that no classified material was accessed without proper authorization.

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Elon Musk and Donald Trump: Collaborating to Shut Down USAID

Elon Musk, known for his controversial views, claimed that USAID was a “criminal organization” and called for the agency to “die.” 

In a conversation on the social media platform X, Musk stated that he had discussed with Trump the closure of USAID and that Trump agreed with the move. Trump himself criticized USAID as being run by "a bunch of radical crazies."

Musk added that he had asked Trump several times about this decision, and Trump confirmed his desire to close the agency that distributes billions of dollars in humanitarian aid each year. 

However, it is unclear how the White House plans to close federal agencies without congressional approval.

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Security Implications and the Future of USAID

The incident of unauthorized access to the USAID system by DOGE raised concerns among members of the Democratic Party. Senator Jeanne Shaheen stressed that potential access to sensitive information could have serious impacts on national security. 

Democratic Party members also alleged that DOGE's efforts to access USAID records were very dangerous and must be acted upon immediately.

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 USAID employees and contractors have been fired or furloughed following a global aid freeze implemented by the Trump administration. Many employees felt unsafe and threatened after Musk called them a "criminal organization." 

The decision to close USAID could result in the loss of an important foreign policy tool for the United States.

With the situation continuing to develop, the future of USAID and its impact on US foreign policy remains a question mark. Elon Musk and Donald Trump appear committed to changing the structure of the agency, but existing legal and political challenges could influence next steps.

FAQ

What is USAID? 

USAID (United States Agency for International Development) is a government agency responsible for providing humanitarian and development assistance throughout the world, helping to overcome poverty, disease, and natural disasters.

Why does Elon Musk want to close USAID? 

Elon Musk argued that USAID was inefficient and called it a "criminal organization." He believes the agency needs to be closed to improve the way aid is distributed.

What will be the impact of USAID's closure? 

The closure of USAID could disrupt the flow of important humanitarian aid to countries in need, as well as impact development programs that have been running so far.

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Reference

nbcnews.com, USAID security leaders removed after refusing Elon Musk's DOGE employees access to secure systems, accessed February 4, 2025.

edition.cnn.com, Elon Musk said Donald Trump agreed USAID needs to be ‘shut down’, accessed February 4, 2025.

Author: AWW