(CLO) The Trump administration fired two senior security officials from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) over the weekend after they attempted to prevent representatives from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing restricted areas of the building.
Nearly 30 employees at USAID's Bureau of Legislative and Public Affairs lost email access overnight, bringing the total number of senior staff suspended in the past week to nearly 100, according to five sources.
A senior Senate Democratic aide revealed that USAID security personnel attempted to prevent DOGE employees from entering the building without security clearance but were threatened by federal police. Following the incident, security director John Voorhees and his deputy director were removed and placed on leave.
President Trump on February 2 declared USAID “run by a bunch of crazy extremists” and vowed to “get them out.” He also said he would make a decision about the agency next.
The front of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) headquarters in Washington. Photo: GI
It is part of a campaign by the Trump administration to fire dozens of USAID employees in a bid to tighten control over the agency, possibly moving it under the State Department.
The event took place in the context of Mr. Trump freezing most of the US foreign aid to re-evaluate the financial distribution under the "America First" foreign policy.
The USAID website has been down since the afternoon of February 1, raising concerns that the agency may soon be shut down. USAID manages billions of dollars in humanitarian aid, including programs on women’s health, access to clean water, HIV/AIDS treatment, energy security and anti-corruption.
DOGE members were granted access to several secure areas at USAID, including the security office and the executive secretariat. These areas contain important files and personal information about USAID employees. DOGE spokesperson Katie Miller confirmed that no documents were accessed illegally.
Matt Hopson, the new chief of staff of USAID appointed by the Trump administration, resigned following the DOGE incident, according to five sources. USAID did not respond to requests for comment.
Democrats in Congress say the move could violate federal law that says USAID is an independent agency. Two senior Democratic aides said lawmakers met on February 2 and will meet again on February 3 to consider the legal action.
Elon Musk, however, continued to attack USAID on social media X, calling the agency a “criminal enterprise.” Trump had previously appointed Musk to lead a federal spending reduction council with broad oversight powers. DOGE officials have been frequent visitors to USAID headquarters in Washington.
Peter Marocco, who heads the Office of Foreign Assistance at the State Department, is now leading the sweeping changes at USAID. He served in the first Trump administration at the Department of Defense.
Hoai Phuong (according to CNN, Reuters)
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