• World News
  • Politics
  • Stock
  • Investing
  • Editor’s Pick
Time And Sales Reporter
Politics

Musk’s DOGE takes aim at ‘viper’s nest’ federal agency with global footprint

by February 3, 2025
February 3, 2025

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, is taking aim at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and, according to senior congressional sources, moved to seize control of the independent agency over the weekend.

The senior congressional sources told Fox News that more than 50 senior USAID staff members were placed on administrative leave and subjected to a gag order, meaning they were not allowed to communicate with anyone outside the agency without approval.

Signs were also removed from USAID’s headquarters in the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C., and the DOGE team took over the computer systems, the sources said. USAID is responsible for distributing civilian foreign aid and development assistance to countries around the globe. The agency managed approximately $40 billion in appropriations last year, according to the Congressional Research Service.

On Sunday, the Associated Press reported that the Trump administration placed two top security chiefs at USAID on leave after refusing to turn over classified material in restricted areas to DOGE.

After initially being refused access to USAID’s classified information, DOGE eventually gained that access on Saturday, allowing them to see things like intelligence reports, a current and a former U.S. official told the AP.

The DOGE team members lacked high enough security clearance to access the information, so the two USAID security officials – John Voorhees and deputy Brian McGill – believed they were legally obligated to deny access.

On Sunday, Musk took aim at USAID on his social media platform X, writing, ‘USAID is a criminal organization. Time for it to die.’

He also wrote several other posts about the agency, saying things like, ‘USAID was a viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America’ and ‘USAID is evil.’

The latter was in response to a post suggesting USAID helped fund coronavirus research in Wuhan, China, which referred to an interaction posted on Forbes between Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and now former USAID Administrator Samantha Power in April 2023.

ABC News reported that those familiar with USAID were questioning whether the moves at USAID were being made in an effort to move the agency under the State Department, where there could be better accountability.

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., turned to social media on Sunday to sound off on the ‘dismantling’ of USAID.

‘Trump and Musk are recklessly and illegally dismantling USAID, an essential national security agency that saves lives, advances U.S. interests, and promotes peace,’ Booker wrote. ‘Their malicious actions are putting the health of people, especially children, at grave risk, and will surely lead to future public health and migration crises in the U.S. – let alone suffering around the globe.’ 

Last week, at least 56 USAID officials were placed on administrative leave with full pay and benefits, and several hundred contractors based in Washington and elsewhere were laid off.

The actions came after Secretary of State Marco Rubio, acting on Trump’s executive order, paused all U.S. foreign assistance funded by or through the State Department and USAID.

The 90-day pause has halted thousands of U.S.-funded humanitarian, development and security programs worldwide and forced aid organizations to lay off hundreds of employees because they can’t make payroll.

Fox News Digital’s Chris Pandolfo and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
previous post
Jimmy Carter wins posthumous Grammy, sets record for category
next post
Trump’s ‘denuclearization’ suggestion with Russia and China: How would it work?

Related Posts

GOP senators: Congress should vote on Trump’s potential...

May 9, 2025

White House highlights over $2B in savings from...

May 9, 2025

Department of Justice opens criminal investigation into NY...

May 9, 2025

Trump’s first vice president urges his old boss...

May 9, 2025

GOP talk on millionaire tax hike ‘makes no...

May 9, 2025

Trump to rename Persian Gulf the Arabian Gulf...

May 8, 2025







    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.




    Recent Posts

    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 9, 2025
    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout, pulls outlook

      May 9, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 9, 2025
    • GOP senators: Congress should vote on Trump’s potential Iran nuclear deal

      May 9, 2025
    • White House highlights over $2B in savings from DEI cuts during Trump administration’s first 100 days

      May 9, 2025
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Copyright © 2025 timeandsalesreporter.com | All Rights Reserved

    Time And Sales Reporter
    • World News
    • Politics
    • Stock
    • Investing
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    4 Trump rivals that Biden didn’t pardon

    January 21, 2025

    Trump downplays Canada’s liberal lean from Oval Office,...

    March 21, 2025

    Trump says Zelenskyy wants to back out of...

    March 31, 2025