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Democratic Lawmakers Challenge Trump’s Bid to Dismantle USAID
On Monday, various Democratic lawmakers expressed strong opposition to the Trump administration’s move to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). They are now preparing to mount a legal challenge against both the administration and billionaire Elon Musk.
The situation escalated as USAID’s headquarters was suddenly closed, with its website inaccessible and most staff members locked out by federal law enforcement. This disturbance followed Musk’s announcement on X, where he claimed he and Trump had agreed on the agency’s closure.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio proclaimed himself the acting administrator of USAID, an agency responsible for delivering humanitarian aid and promoting development across over 120 countries.
In a candid expression of frustration, Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., addressed federal employees directly: “I’m sorry that you have to put up with this offensive situation stemming from this White House,” referring specifically to Musk’s influence via the newly established Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
Before targeting USAID, reports indicated that Musk’s DOGE teams had taken over operations and certain IT systems at various federal entities, including the Office of Personnel Management, the General Services Administration, and the Treasury Department. Rep. Suhas Subramanyan, D-Va., declared to a crowd during a rally, “This is illegal, this is wrong, and this is unconstitutional. Shutting down USAID requires an act of Congress, and I assure you that Congress will not allow this to happen.”
Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., promised that Democrats would resist in every conceivable manner, utilizing legal avenues, influencing public opinion, and leveraging their positions in Congress. Connolly’s district, which houses many federal employees and contract workers, stands as a critical battleground in this unfolding drama. Musk has expressed intentions to utilize DOGE to drastically reduce both federal spending and personnel.
“We’re not only fighting for the dedicated federal employees committed to humanitarian efforts; we’re here to safeguard lives,” Connolly emphasized. “To all employees: We are with you. Our struggle may be long and challenging, but we stand united.”
The American Foreign Service Association, representing U.S. Foreign Service members, criticized the administration’s actions regarding USAID. “This will undermine U.S. national security, potentially undermine Congressional authority, and illustrate a profound disrespect for the dedication of the development professionals serving America’s interests abroad,” the association remarked in a statement. They expressed concern about the abrupt removal of numerous foreign service officers from their positions without warning or valid reasoning, highlighting an alarming trend toward indiscriminately diminishing the workforce, which could significantly impact U.S. interests and established agency protocols.
During attempts to gain access to USAID’s headquarters, several Democratic lawmakers from both the House and Senate were informed that key officials were unavailable for discussions.
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