Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has come into conflict with senior security officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) after the agency refused to grant the DOGE team access to classified systems, Bloomberg reported.
Several senior security staff members were placed on administrative leave following the dispute, as the agency’s operations were reportedly thrown into disarray. USAID’s website was taken offline over the weekend, and attempts to access usaid.gov from multiple countries resulted in a network error or blank page.
Security officials argued that DOGE personnel lacked the necessary security clearances to access classified materials, making it a legal obligation to deny entry. The standoff resulted in over 50 senior officials at USAID’s Washington office—comprising the majority of the agency’s senior career leadership—being placed on administrative leave last week.
The controversy has been fueled by attacks from former President Donald Trump and Musk, both of whom have issued sharp criticisms of the agency. Trump stated on Sunday that USAID had been run by “a bunch of radical lunatics and we’re getting them out.” Musk escalated the rhetoric, accusing the agency of funding bioweapon research, including claims linking it to COVID-19. He further described USAID as “a viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America” and labeled it a “criminal organization.”
Musk’s DOGE team has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that no classified information was accessed without proper clearance. Katie Miller, a DOGE member and former communications director for Vice President Mike Pence, reiterated this position in a statement on X, saying, “No classified material was accessed without proper security clearances.”
The developments come in the wake of an executive order issued by Trump last month, directing a halt and reassessment of U.S. foreign aid. As a result, billions of dollars in assistance coordinated by USAID have been frozen, affecting a range of global humanitarian efforts, including those in Africa and Ukraine. The move has left many aid recipients scrambling for alternative resources.
In response to the crisis, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a waiver allowing certain “life-saving humanitarian assistance” to continue while a three-month review determines which U.S. foreign aid programs align with Trump’s policy objectives. However, significant portions of U.S. aid remain suspended, raising concerns about the long-term impact on global relief initiatives.
Key Points:
Conflict Over Classified Access: Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) clashed with USAID after being denied access to classified systems.
Security Officials Suspended: Several senior USAID security officials were placed on administrative leave following the dispute.
USAID Website Offline: The agency’s website was taken down, with access issues reported across multiple countries.
Trump and Musk’s Criticism: Former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk launched attacks on USAID, with Trump calling its leadership “radical lunatics” and Musk alleging it funded bioweapon research.
DOGE Denies Wrongdoing: DOGE member Katie Miller stated that no classified material was accessed without proper clearance.
Trump’s Executive Order on Foreign Aid: A recent executive order halted U.S. foreign aid, freezing billions in assistance, affecting programs in Africa and Ukraine.
Humanitarian Waivers Issued: Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved exemptions for essential aid while a review determines which projects align with Trump’s policies.
