Illegal Trump-Musk Power Grab at USAID Suddenly Becomes Bigger Scandal
Feb 4, 2025
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Don Beyer, a House Representative, passionately protests the controversial takeover of USAID by Donald Trump and Elon Musk. He reveals how Musk's actions have locked employees out of internal systems and the legal ramifications of these moves. Beyer discusses the implications for international health stability and the potential shift of USAID into the State Department. The conversation explores the dangers of unchecked power and the expected public backlash as Democrats seek to resist this power grab.
Elon Musk's takeover of USAID, characterized by locking employees out and halting funding, raises significant legal and governance issues.
Democratic lawmakers are mobilizing to challenge Musk's actions, highlighting the potential risks to global stability and U.S. influence abroad.
Deep dives
Musk's Takeover of USAID Faces Legal Challenges
Elon Musk's recent actions regarding the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have raised significant legal concerns. Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency initiated drastic measures, such as locking out agency employees from their systems and halting funding allocated by Congress. This situation prompted a response from Democratic lawmakers, who emphasized that Musk's involvement lacks legal authority and undermines established governmental processes. The legality of these actions is being scrutinized, with indications that lawsuits may be filed to counter these moves and restore order within the agency.
Consequences of Gutting USAID
The implications of potentially dismantling USAID extend beyond bureaucratic adjustments and threaten global stability. Congressman Don Beyer highlighted that international aid plays a critical role in addressing global health issues, such as controlling the spread of diseases like Ebola. He warned that cutting less than 1% of the U.S. budget allocated for international development could result in a substantial increase in military spending to manage the consequences of instability abroad. The actions by Musk and Trump not only risk diminishing U.S. influence but could also enhance opportunities for adversarial nations to expand their presence in developing countries.
The Political Fallout and Future Implications
The political landscape surrounding Musk's actions at USAID suggests a potential backlash against Trump and his administration from both Democratic lawmakers and the public. With significant public protest emerging in response to these developments, congressional Democrats are considering unified strategies to oppose any illegal actions taken by Trump and Musk. This situation may lead to more lawsuits and calls for accountability, as well as demand for a return to lawful governance. The outcome of this conflict could significantly affect Trump's political capital and the prospects for upcoming elections as backlash against perceived abuses of power grows.
President Trump has empowered Elon Musk to undertake a gutting of the U.S. Agency for International Development that is pretty clearly illegal. And this week, on numerous fronts, this has suddenly become a much bigger scandal. First, Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency took over the agency and locked its workers out of internal systems. Then Musk confirmed that Trump had agreed with him that the agency must be shut down. On Monday, Democratic lawmakers denounced the illegality of these moves, showing up at USAID offices to protest. We talked to one of those Democrats, Representative Don Beyer, about why the Trump-Musk assault is illegal and how Democrats can resist it.