The Trump administration has dismissed two top security officials from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) after they blocked representatives from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from entering restricted areas, sources said on Sunday.
The removals are part of a broader shake-up at USAID, as President Donald Trump moves to reduce the agency’s independence and possibly bring it under the control of the State Department. Nearly 100 senior staff have now been placed on leave, including around 30 employees from the Legislative and Public Affairs bureau who lost access to their emails overnight, sources said.
A senior Senate Democratic aide confirmed that DOGE personnel had entered the USAID headquarters. “DOGE did access the building yesterday,” the aide said. When USAID security officers tried to deny entry to those without security clearance, they were “threatened with action by the federal Marshals Service,” the aide added, as reported by Reuters.
Following the incident, USAID’s security chief John Voorhees and his deputy were removed from their positions and put on leave, according to sources.
Concerns over classified information
The DOGE team reportedly accessed secure areas, including USAID’s security office and executive secretariat, which contain classified files and personal records of USAID employees. It is unclear what information was obtained.
Katie Miller, a spokesperson for DOGE, denied any wrongdoing, writing on social media platform X that “no classified material was accessed without proper security clearances.”
No classified material was accessed without proper security clearances.
— Katie Miller (@katierosemiller) February 2, 2025
Meanwhile, Matt Hopson, Trump’s appointed chief of staff at USAID, has resigned, sources said. A congressional source linked his departure to the DOGE security breach. USAID has not responded to inquiries about Hopson’s resignation.
Democrats question legality of USAID overhaul
Democratic lawmakers argue that dismantling USAID violates laws that establish and fund the agency as an independent entity. Senior Senate Democrats met on Sunday and plan further discussions on Monday, possibly leading to legal action.
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Senator Jeanne Shaheen, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has demanded an explanation from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the situation. “We are working to bring together both Democrats and Republicans to get answers,” she said.
Republican House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast supports merging USAID with the State Department. Speaking on CBS’ Face the Nation, he said more “command and control” is needed. When asked whether congressional approval was required for such a move, he did not provide a direct answer.
Global aid programs at risk
The Trump administration has already frozen most US foreign aid, saying it wants to ensure funding aligns with the “America First” policy. This decision has placed crucial aid programs in jeopardy, including medical care for refugees in Thailand, landmine removal efforts, and treatments for HIV patients.
Did you know that USAID, using YOUR tax dollars, funded bioweapon research, including COVID-19, that killed millions of people?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 2, 2025
Elon Musk, a strong Trump ally, has been vocal in his criticism of USAID. Over the weekend, he called the agency “a criminal organisation” on X, without providing any evidence, and added, “Time for it to die.”
Peter Marocco, a former Trump official from the Department of Defense, has been appointed to lead USAID’s restructuring, sources said.
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As of Sunday, USAID’s website remains offline, raising concerns that the agency may soon be dismantled. USAID and the State Department have not responded to requests for comment.