Congress Blocks Entry to USAID Agency Closed by Trump Administration

WASHINGTON — On Monday, Democratic lawmakers encountered significant resistance at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), as their entry requests were denied. This unprecedented move follows billionaire Elon Musk’s efforts, reportedly backed by President Donald Trump, to dismantle the agency, which plays a vital role in U.S. humanitarian efforts.

Senators and House members convened outside USAID’s closed headquarters in Washington, D.C., expressing their commitment to oppose Musk’s maneuvers. Reports indicate that personnel from Musk’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) sought unauthorized access to USAID’s sensitive computer systems over the weekend.

“We will not tolerate this injustice,” asserted Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia to a gathering that formed in front of the Ronald Reagan Building, where USAID is located. He emphasized the agency’s creation through the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and that any changes to its framework must follow legal procedures.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen condemned the Trump administration’s actions as illegal while addressing a crowd of concerned citizens and USAID employees. He revealed he had consulted legal experts regarding this violation of established laws.

Amidst growing discontent, Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii announced he would place a blanket hold on all of Trump’s State Department nominees. Several lawmakers, including Reps. Jamie Raskin and Ilhan Omar, also faced entry denial after a press conference intended to shed light on these events.

USAID, with a workforce of approximately 10,000 and an operational budget of $40 billion for fiscal year 2023, oversees global aid initiatives affecting around 130 countries. As a statutory “independent establishment” under the Secretary of State’s guidance, its functionality is critical to U.S. foreign assistance.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is now acting as USAID’s administrator, voiced concerns over the agency’s alignment with U.S. national strategy. He indicated that past reform efforts have fallen flat, further complicating the agency’s standing within the government.

During a live session on X Spaces, Musk claimed that Trump endorsed shutting down USAID. Notably, the agency’s website and official social media accounts went offline over the weekend amid the upheaval.

Democratic lawmakers have urgently requested clarification from Rubio regarding the unauthorized access by DOGE personnel to USAID’s systems. Concerns have arisen about the potential compromise of classified and personally identifiable information, particularly following the reported intimidation of security staff.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen highlighted that the committee charged with monitoring international aid was not informed of DOGE’s planned actions at USAID. The incident has triggered suspicions about ongoing national security safeguards, necessitating immediate investigations into the extent of access granted to unauthorized personnel.

In response, DOGE representatives have insisted that no classified materials were accessed without proper clearance. However, skepticism lingers following Trump’s condemning remarks about USAID on social media, where he described the agency as “a criminal organization.”

In another significant development, newly appointed U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has paused various activities at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, including rule-making and enforcement actions. This decision follows his appointment after the dismissal of the previous director, Rohit Chopra.

Last updated 4:23 p.m., Feb. 3, 2025