Security Chiefs at USAID Placed on Leave Amid Tensions with Musk’s Government-Inspection Teams
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a surprising turn of events involving the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), two top security officials have been placed on leave after refusing access to classified information to teams from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This decision was made after the officials resisted sharing sensitive materials with Musk’s inspection teams, citing their lack of proper security clearance, as confirmed by a current and a former U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, saw members of DOGE eventually gaining access to USAID’s classified data, a move that has raised eyebrows across government circles. Despite this, USAID security officials John Vorhees and his deputy, Brian McGill, maintained their stance, pointing to legal obligations to protect such information from unauthorized personnel.
In response to the unfolding controversy, Musk took to X, stating, “USAID is a criminal organization. Time for it to die.” The White House has yet to comment on the situation.
This development follows a similar operation by Musk’s DOGE at the Treasury Department, where sensitive systems, including Social Security and Medicare, were accessed. The formation of DOGE was part of a collaboration with the Trump administration aimed at reducing federal workforce and regulations, a goal that has seen increased scrutiny on agencies like USAID.
USAID’s website mysteriously went offline on Saturday, adding to the agency’s challenges, which have been exacerbated by the Trump administration’s freeze on foreign aid. This freeze has significantly impacted USAID’s humanitarian and development programs globally, leading to widespread layoffs and furloughs.
As the largest global donor of humanitarian aid, the U.S., through USAID, manages substantial financial assistance across more than 100 countries. The agency’s operations have been severely disrupted, with staffers noting the presence of DOGE team members at their Washington headquarters.
Peter Marocco, a notable appointee from Trump’s first term, has been at the forefront of enforcing these stringent measures at USAID. Meanwhile, the agency’s personnel continue to face uncertainties amidst ongoing federal government cutbacks.
For further details, read the full report from the Associated Press here.
Additional coverage on the Treasury Department incident is available here.
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