WASHINGTON – Congressional Democrats entered the U.S. International Development Agency on Monday after President Donald Trump worked to close the country’s empowered billionaire Elon Musk. It was rejected.
Senators and House members gathered outside the agency’s closed headquarters in Washington, D.C., who vowed to fight Musk’s actions over the weekend. This includes Musk’s government efficiency, or sending individuals from Doge to gain powerful access to USAID’s computer systems and files.
“We are not going to cause this fraud. Congress created this agency in the Foreign Aid Act of 1961. If you want to change it, you have to change that law. “We did,” Virginia Rep. Jerry Connolly told the massive crowd gathered outside the Ronald Reagan building and the International Trade Center. It is housed in the agency.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen told a flock of journalists and USAID employees that the Trump administration’s actions against USAID were “illegal” and that he spoke with his lawyers over the weekend.
“This is a clear violation of our law,” a Maryland Democrat told the crowd. The crowd was dotted with homemade protest signs that read, “We need to save USAID” and “USAID saves life.”
Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz, who also attended the press conference, later announced that blanket holds would be placed on all Trump’s State Department candidates.
Connolly, Van Hollen, Schatz and several other Democrats, including Jamie Ruskin and Johnny Orssoukeski of Maryland, Don Beyer of Virginia and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, were holding outdoor press conferences. He was subsequently denied entry to the USAID office.
Employees received an explosion of emails and texts on Monday to prevent them from reporting to the building.
The agency manages $400 billion in US spending
A workforce of approximately 10,000 people (two thirds of those working overseas) manages the projects and distributes funds to around 130 countries. The agency was allocated approximately $40 billion in fiscal year 2023.
The agency, by law, is “independent facilities” and “under the direct authority and policy guidance of the Secretary of State.” According to To the Non-Participation Congress Research Service.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with El Salvador reporters on Monday, saying he is currently the representative administrator of USAID.
Rubio I said Reporters that USAID is “involved in programs that go against what we are trying to do in our national strategy” are either in a particular country.
“It’s been 20 or 30 years since people tried to reform it, and it refuses to reform and refuses to cooperate,” Rubio said.
Earlier on Monday, Musk said in a live conversation at X-space that Trump “consented that we would close it.” It has been reported. That’s what Live X Space recorded do not have It will then be published automatically. Masks include Iowa GOPSens during live chat. Joni Ernst and Utah Mikeley have joined us.
Agent website, USAID.GOVand its X social media account I went on a dark Saturday.
Democrats demand updates from Rubio
Individuals identifying themselves as Doge staff entered USAID headquarters over the weekend to access the agency’s computers and files. CNN reported. At least two USAID security officers took administrative leave after initially denied granting access.
Trump signed Presidential Order On his first day he founded Doge with the aim of “moderating federal technology and software to maximize government efficiency and productivity.”
Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee asked Rubio for an “immediate update” on whether they reviewed people who accessed the USAID system and files on Saturday and whether they reviewed individuals who identified the individuals who were classified.
“Some individuals claim to have security clearances, but it is unclear whether those who have accessed a secure, confidential facility have the appropriate clearance or are trying to access it. Senate Foreign Relations Commissioner Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, a top Democrat in the association, wrote: letter All Democrats on the panel co-signed.
Shaheen said the committee, which has jurisdiction oversight of international aid, has not been notified that Trump’s government efficiency plans to visit USAID’s headquarters.
“Following this incident, senior management from the Security Bureau, who secures USAID staff and facilities and protects national security information, was placed on administrative leave. Personally Identifiable Americans working with USAID Potential access to sensitive and categorized files that may contain information (PII), and the entire incident raises deep concerns regarding the protection and protection of issues related to US national security. .” wrote Shaheen.
Doge representative Katie Miller I wrote X On Sunday, “Categorized materials were not accessed without proper security clearance.”
Trump told journalists on Sunday that USAID is “run by Radical Lunatics.”
In a post on his social media platform X Sunday, Musk wrote that the agency is a “criminal organisation.”
The state newsroom contacted the White House and the State Department for comments.
A few hours after the presidency, Trump signed Presidential Order The 90-day foreign support program will be suspended.
Consumer Finance Watchdog stops working
The newly established U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bescent has ordered a number of activities to be suspended at the Consumer Financial Protection Agency.
Control, enforcement actions, litigation, litigation and public communications have ceased, according to a memo from Bessent. NPR and Politics.
Trump has appointed Bescent as the agency’s representative director after denying Biden’s appointee Rohit Chopra.
That’s what independent branches within the Federal Reserve did. Establishment In 2010, in Congress, it was used as a safeguard for consumers following the Great Recession.
Last updated at 5:23pm, February 3, 2025
