The Trump administration has announced a ban on employees’ entry into the headquarters of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Washington DC for the second day, as the government is taking steps to close the agency. –
According to Reuters news agency, two Democrats Senators have threatened to stop the endorsement of the designated officials of the State Department.
After the closure of USAID offices on Monday, the agency has created more uncertainty, distributing billions of dollars of humanitarian aid worldwide.
The move came when Trump ordered a ban on US external aid just hours after Trump took office on January 20.
The decision to close USAID is part of the billionaire businessman Elon Musk’s plan, which the president has given the responsibility of reducing the spending of the federal government.
A senior White House official said on condition of anonymity that Trump was considering merging the USAID into the State Department and ‘Elon has been given the responsibility of reviewing the agency’s performance.’
According to an internal email, which was seen by Reuters, a group of Democrats lawmakers protested in front of US Aid Headquarters in the presence of dozens of employees and contractors sent on leave, which was closed to employees on Monday. It was
Reuters saw another email that employees were informed on Monday night to work on the agency’s headquarters and another office in Washington on Tuesday, showing it to staff and lawmakers. The concern increased further.
Speaking outside the US Aid Headquarters, US Congressman Jamie Raskin said, “There is no fourth branch of our government, called Elon Musk.”
Senators Brian Shetz and Chris Van Hallon announced that they would stop confirming Trump’s nominees for the State Department.
“We can control the schedule of approval of the nominees,” said Van Hallon.
Unless this illegal action is withdrawn, we will do everything possible to keep the approval of the nominees of the State Department. ‘
Illegal action
Hundreds of USAID programs, which provided billions of dollars in aid to save lives around the world, were completely halted after January 20 ordered Trump to freeze most US foreign aid. Trump said he wanted to make sure that the aid was in line with his ‘US First’ policy.
If USAID was merged with the State Department, it would potentially have a serious impact on the world’s largest donor distribution system from the United States.
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Musk has been criticizing USAID and calling it a left -wing institution, which is not accountable to the White House. Musk’s critics say he often accuses without evidence that are potentially ideological basis.
Recent events have highlighted Elon Musk’s powerful role in Trump’s policymaking.
Last week, the Musk team, who is working in the Department of Government performance, gained access to the Treasury Department’s most sensitive payment system and, as Reuters reported, some employees from their company’s computer systems. Logout
Two senior security personnel were sent to USAID on a forced leave, as they refused to provide secret documents to the DOGE employees at the weekend.
Senator Brian Schutz told Reuters outside the agency’s headquarters: ‘What is happening to USAID is completely illegal, and it is dangerous for Americans at home and abroad.’
Some USAID employees were carrying play cards while the legislators were making speeches, one of which wrote: ‘USAID saves lives.’
Democrats say Congress approval is necessary to end USAID’s sovereignty, but Trump told reporters on Monday that he did not think it was necessary.
Trump said: ‘I like the concept of USAID, but they have gone out of extremist leftist crazy.’
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in San Salvador that he is now the acting head of USAID.
He described USAID as ‘uncontrollable’ and said the company’s personnel were working against US policies.
He described the agency as ‘completely unintentional’ and accused the staff of ‘not ready to answer simple questions about programs.’
Rubio said: If you go to missions and embassies around the world, you will often find that in many cases, USAID is involved in programs that according to our national strategy with this country or region. What we want to do is completely against. It cannot continue. ‘
He apprised the Congress about the agency’s expected reorganization through a letter, saying that some parts of the USAID could be integrated into the State Department and the rest could be eliminated.
Democrat Senator Jean Shaheen said he felt Rubio notification ‘legally fully inadequate’ and had no reasonable reason for the extreme and sudden action taken by the administration, even though the Congress did not even know it in advance. Given. ‘
In fiscal year 2023, the United States provided $ 72 billion under various aid programs, including initiatives such as women’s health, clean drinking water supply, HIV/AIDS treatment, energy security and anti -corruption.
It was 42 % of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations in 2024.
And yet it is less than one percent of its total budget.
Following Trump’s ban on aid, the State Department issued orders to stop work around the world, except for emergency food assistance. Experts warned that the move was in danger of killing people.
Since then, dozens of USAID employees have been sent on forced leave.
Three sources, who are aware of the matter, told Reuters that USAID’s personal services contractors, who work mostly in the agency’s humanitarian aid bureau, also lock out their government accounts. Has gone
A USAID official said: ‘If there is no PSC, the humanitarian aid bureau in USAID is not practically present.
Foreign Minister Rubio’s exemption for emergency food and other immediate assistance is just cheating and joke, if no one is practically implemented. ‘
