• Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock
Editor's Pick

USAID staffers stunned, angered by Trump admin’s DOGE shutdown of $40B agency

by February 5, 2025
written by February 5, 2025

Staffers and contractors who work with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were stunned and angered after President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – the government accountability unit headed by billionaire Elon Musk – effectively shut down the $40 billion agency on Monday.

One USAID staffer who wished to remain anonymous told Fox News Digital that 80% of staff across its bureaus learned they lost access to the agency’s systems on Monday morning, including travel, communications, classified information and databases – leading to questions about how to repatriate American citizens in some of the most dangerous places in the world should the need arise.

Staffers also feel they were ‘left high and dry’ and ‘have no idea what to do or where to turn’ after being ‘abandoned by Congress and the government,’ the source said, adding they felt the agency was ‘hostilely taken over by DOGE.’ 

‘The richest man in the world is taking this away from the poorest people in the world,’ the source said of Musk.

USAID was set up in the early 1960s to act on behalf of the U.S. to deliver aid across the globe, particularly in impoverished and underdeveloped regions. The Trump administration alleges that much of the spending has been wasteful, promoting a liberal agenda around the world. 

DOGE has particularly criticized a $1.5 million program slated to ‘advance diversity, equity and inclusion in Serbia’s workplaces and business communities’ and a $70,000 program for a ‘DEI musical’ in Ireland.

Democrats counter that the agency plays a vital role in U.S. national security interests and say it should remain independent. They point to the work USAID did to counter Soviet influence during the Cold War – a sphere of influence that could remain a concern amid China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

‘It’s not a generosity project,’ the source said of USAID, ‘this is a national security agency and effort at its core’ that ‘protects borders and cuts threats off,’ such as working to contain Ebola and dispersing COVID vaccines to keep such threats outside the U.S.

Musk has said that both he and Trump ‘agreed’ that the agency should be ‘shut down.’ Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been named acting director of the independent agency, on Monday echoed the sentiment, telling reporters, ‘USAID is not functioning.’

‘It needs to be aligned with the national interest of the U.S. They’re not a global charity, these are taxpayer dollars. People are asking simple questions. What are they doing with the money?’ Rubio continued. ‘We are spending taxpayers’ money. We owe the taxpayers assurances that it furthers our national interest.’

The scope of work overseen by USAID is vast and ranges from administering foreign aid through humanitarian efforts like famine relief, clean water distribution programs, and medical services, including administering polio vaccines, HIV/AIDS relief and prevention work. It also bolsters democracy, human rights and governance initiatives.

The source said the stop work order has left medications for HIV and even vaccines meant for distribution in overseas regions sitting on shelves, saying, ‘It has all stopped.’

Steve Schmida, who runs global consulting firm Resonance, which competes for contracts with USAID, told Fox News Digital that the shutdown is impacting contractors in the form of layoffs, furloughs and a reduction in hours. He also said the stop-work order has prevented his employees from getting paid for work they’ve already done.

Schmida said DOGE is ‘controlling payments’ by taking over the payment system. He accused the Musk-led agency of ‘intentionally defrauding us.’

‘If not stopped, it will spread to the rest of the government,’ Schmida said, adding that the Trump administration’s DOGE could use its takeover of the payment system as ‘a weapon against American citizens, denying Social Security and Medicare if they step out of line.’

Schmida said the foreign assistance community recognizes and shares the desire to reform the system, stating it ‘could work a lot better,’ though he urged the government to work toward improvement rather than the destruction of an agency whose work has been built up over seven decades.

Fox News’ Caitlin McFall contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
Mattel says Barbies and Hot Wheels could soon get more expensive under Trump’s tariffs
next post
‘Sesame Street in Iraq’: USAID’s ‘wasteful and dangerous’ spending exposed by senator

related articles

Cambodia to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize...

August 2, 2025

Recess on ice as Republicans hunker down for...

August 1, 2025

Trump moves nuclear submarines weeks after praising sub’s...

August 1, 2025

WATCH: Trump says he is hopeful Hillary Clinton...

August 1, 2025

Iran says it has ‘plenty of scientists’ left...

August 1, 2025

Trump endorses ‘MAGA warrior’ for RNC chairman after...

August 1, 2025

Trump repositions 2 nuclear submarines after ‘highly provocative’...

August 1, 2025

Kavanaugh cites 3 presidents in explaining Supreme Court’s...

August 1, 2025

China’s growing nuclear arsenal aims to break US...

August 1, 2025

Trump ally Bukele’s party amends El Salvador constitution...

August 1, 2025
Enter Your Information Below To Receive Free Trading Ideas, Latest News, And Articles.


Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!

Latest News

  • Trump, Harris dead even in battleground Michigan 6 days from Election Day, poll finds

    October 30, 2024
  • New resistance battling Trump’s second term through onslaught of lawsuits taking aim at EOs

    February 12, 2025
  • Shutdown standoff looms in Congress’ final weeks before Trump’s return to White House

    November 8, 2024
  • US readiness plays ‘significant’ role in fending off Iranian attack on Israel

    October 1, 2024
  • American released by Taliban returns home to ‘champion’s welcome’

    March 21, 2025

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Secret Service admits leaning on ‘state and local partners’ after claim it ignored Trump team’s past requests

    July 21, 2024
  • 2

    Five more House Democrats call on Biden to drop out, third US senator

    July 19, 2024
  • 3

    Elon and Vivek should tackle US funding for this boondoogle organization and score a multimillion dollar win

    December 4, 2024
  • 4

    Forex Profit Calculator: Maximize Your Trading Potential

    July 10, 2024
  • 5

    Biden calls to ‘lower the temperature’ then bashes Trump in NAACP speech

    July 17, 2024

Categories

  • Economy (829)
  • Editor's Pick (5,603)
  • Investing (634)
  • Stock (867)

Latest Posts

  • Greenland’s prime minister says US will not ‘get’ island

    March 31, 2025
  • Iran envoy Malley may have been on ‘classified White House call’ after clearance suspended, watchdog finds

    September 19, 2024
  • Slovenia approves law to legalize assisted dying for terminally-ill adults

    July 19, 2025

Recent Posts

  • Trump, Harris locked in dead heat in 7 battleground states, poll finds: ‘Could not be closer’

    October 11, 2024
  • ‘Rings hollow’: Biden ripped for warning of oligarchy ‘taking shape’ in US despite deep ties to billionaires

    January 16, 2025
  • Trump orders Attorney General to investigate Biden’s autopen use amid cognitive decline concerns

    June 5, 2025

Editor’s Pick

  • Kevin Hassett ‘very, very confident’ courts will back Trump’s tariffs amid legal setback

    June 1, 2025
  • Thune warns Iran should return to negotiating table ‘if they’re smart’

    June 18, 2025
  • US strikes kill hundreds of Houthi fighters, hit over 800 Red Sea targets: Central Command

    April 28, 2025
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Disclaimer: moneyrisetoday.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

Copyright © 2025 moneyrisetoday.com | All Rights Reserved

Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock