President Trump ignited a firestorm among Democrats after the USAID website suddenly went offline, fueling speculation that he intends to move the agency under State Department control—or potentially eliminate it entirely. The move has been met with outrage from Democratic lawmakers, who claim it would undermine national security and global stability.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump of “purging and intimidating” USAID employees, calling the potential dissolution of the agency illegal. Sen. Chris Murphy went even further, launching into a lengthy tirade on X, where he warned that the elimination of USAID would empower China and Russia, weaken anti-terrorism efforts, and even result in the deaths of malnourished children reliant on U.S. aid. Murphy alleged that Trump and Elon Musk were acting in the interests of Beijing, calling the move “corrupt” and a deliberate attack on U.S. influence abroad.
Meanwhile, conservative voices have applauded the decision. Former CBS News reporter Lara Logan reiterated her belief that USAID is a front for the CIA, accusing the agency and organizations like the Open Society Foundation of misusing U.S. tax dollars. Sen. Rand Paul echoed these sentiments, advocating for the complete abolition of USAID and all foreign aid.
Despite Democratic objections, Trump may have the authority to dissolve the agency. USAID was originally created by executive order from President John F. Kennedy in 1961, meaning a similar executive action could potentially dismantle it. While eliminating the Foreign Assistance Act would require an act of Congress, restructuring or abolishing USAID itself may not.
Weighing in on the debate, Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), summed up the situation in a blunt remark: “Live by executive order, die by executive order.”
