A dispute between the United States Agency for International Development and a government task force has escalated after two security officials were placed on leave for denying access to representatives from the Department of Government Efficiency, a task force led by Elon Musk.
Following the incident, Musk, via his social media platform X on Sunday, openly criticised USAID, calling it a “criminal organisation” and stating, “Time for it to die.”
According to Al Jazeera, the dispute arose when DOGE personnel were initially denied entry to restricted areas due to a lack of security clearances.
Reports indicate that the task force eventually gained access.
However, the White House director of communications, Steven Cheung, denied that DOGE personnel had attempted to gain access to secure areas, calling a PBS report about the incident “fake news” and “not even remotely true at all.”
“This is how unserious and untrustworthy the media is,” Cheung said in a post on X.
A DOGE official, Katie Miller, later confirmed that no classified material was accessed without proper clearance.
The controversy has fueled speculation about the future of USAID, particularly after its website briefly went offline, and a minimal version appeared under the Department of State.
The administration has already implemented a freeze on most foreign aid, leading to concerns that USAID may face further cuts or even dissolution.
Critics, including members of Congress, have raised alarms about Musk’s influence over government operations despite not holding an elected position.
“If this gambit succeeds – if Trump (or Elon) can just override Congressional statutes and funding mandates, and Congress acquiesces – it’s a very dark sign … and it won’t stop at USAID,” said former USAID official Jeremy Konyndyk, on X.
In a related development, the administration announced plans to cut all US funding to South Africa, citing concerns over recent land reform policies.
The US had allocated nearly $440m in aid to South Africa in 2023, and the decision is expected to have significant diplomatic implications.