Turmoil inside USAID as Musk Attack The Agency
A dispute between the United States Agency for International Development and a government task force escalated after placing two security officials on leave for denying representatives from the Department of Government Efficiency, a task force led by Elon Musk, access.
Following the incident, the Tesla CEO Elon Musk via his X social media handle on Sunday, openly criticised USAID, calling it a “criminal organisation” and stating, “Time for it to die.”
According to Al Jazeera, the dispute arose when DOGE personnel were initially denied entry to restricted areas due to a lack of security clearances.
Despite the initial denial, DOGE representatives eventually accessed secure areas after the incident.
Meanwhile, the White House director of communications, Steven Cheung, denied the incident, labelling it as “fake news” and “not even remotely true at all.”
Cheung criticized the media’s credibility in a post on X, stating, “This is how unserious and untrustworthy the media is.”
Katie Miller, a DOGE official, later confirmed that no one accessed classified material without proper clearance.
Concerns Over USAID’s Future WIth Musk Attack
The controversy has fueled speculation about the future of USAID, particularly after its website briefly went offline, and a minimal version appeared under the Department of State.
The administration has already implemented a freeze on most foreign aid, leading to concerns that USAID may face further cuts or even dissolution.
Critics, including members of Congress, have raised alarms about Musk’s influence over government operations despite not holding an elected position.
“If this gambit succeeds – if Trump (or Elon) can just override Congressional statutes and funding mandates, and Congress acquiesces – it’s a very dark sign … and it won’t stop at USAID,” said former USAID official Jeremy Konyndyk, on X.
In a related development, the administration announced plans to cut all US funding to South Africa, citing concerns over recent land reform policies.
The US had allocated nearly $440m in aid to South Africa in 2023, and the decision is expected to have significant diplomatic implications.
