I think this needs its own thread. Since inauguration, the Trump/Musk Regime has waged a largely silent war against USAID. While there are many people who wrongly believe that USAID is a waste of taxpayer money, it is in fact the third leg of ‘3D’ (Defense, Diplomacy, Development) American foreign policy in the modern era. If anything, Defense probably gets too much attention/funding while diplomacy and development are ignored, but I digress. The reality is that the total USAID budget is less than 1% of the total federal budget, while defense is closer to 14%.
President Kennedy initiated USAID to counter Soviet influence around the world in ways that defense and diplomacy couldn’t. I point this out because its very mission was to counter Marxist ideology in promoting development “the American way”, promoting human rights and free enterprise.
On Day One, Trump froze all spending, projects and disbursement of aid for 90 days with zero warning to agency employees, contract implementers or partners around the world. I assume Congressional and International pressure eventually forced him to relent and allow distribution of medicine that was already paid for and would be expired/wasted, but even now orders are unclear with policy changing minute to minute via DOGE emails and tweets. In the meantime, the Regime is continuing with furloughs, mass layoffs and program freezes that will have ripple effects for years to come. Even if life-saving aid is “unfrozen”, the organizations supporting the work on the ground are effectively paralyzed.
By Friday, Senator Chris Murphy was warning that the death of USAID was imminent—the Regime was planning to dismantle the org and subsume its activities under the State Department. Nevermind the fact that USAID already answers to State—but the State Dept doesn’t have the tools or expertise to assume control of development projects. By Saturday, the website was down and some signs removed from USAID HQ.
There is a bigger story here of the Regime moving to illegally shutdown a federal agency with its own Congressional appropriations budget without even cursory approval of Congress. This could have far reaching implications if lawmakers and courts allow this to stand. But the Regime doesn’t care if they eventually fail in court, because the damage will already be done! Any attempt to save USAID 3, 6, or 12 months down the road will be like attempting to resurrect the dead.
Today, we see reporting that USAID security staff stopped DOGE personnel from entering the building last night and accessing secure systems with personnel data. They were doing their jobs—stopping people without clearance from accessing sensitive systems and classified data. And they were fired for doing their jobs. The DOGE employees do not have security clearances. In fact, some of them are barely out of high school and have zero experience with government agencies.
Musk, in an effort to justify his team’s actions, took to X today and called USAID an “evil…criminal organization” and “a viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America”.
Strong words! Why does Musk hate USAID so much?? Why are Musk and Trump afraid of an independent USAID that isn’t in lockstep with Trump’s/State’s foreign policy?
Answer: Because USAID helped end apartheid in South Africa at a time when the Reagan Administration and State were hesitant to upset the status quo.
Exhibit A: https://adst.org/2021/06/american-peoples-foreign-policy-usaids-role-in-apartheid-south-africa/
My biggest fear isn’t necessarily for my wife’s job or friends’ jobs—but I’m worried the Regime will use this action to justify defunding and closing any other agency they fundamentally disagree with, appropriations from Congress be damned. My other fear is that China will swoop in with Belt and Road projects to replace USAID, and eventually down the line we will be facing a much more overt Cold War over foreign influence. The Regime will use any flexing by China to justify more military build-up, and former allies we were aiding/developing with USAID will be viewed as enemies.
President Kennedy initiated USAID to counter Soviet influence around the world in ways that defense and diplomacy couldn’t. I point this out because its very mission was to counter Marxist ideology in promoting development “the American way”, promoting human rights and free enterprise.
On Day One, Trump froze all spending, projects and disbursement of aid for 90 days with zero warning to agency employees, contract implementers or partners around the world. I assume Congressional and International pressure eventually forced him to relent and allow distribution of medicine that was already paid for and would be expired/wasted, but even now orders are unclear with policy changing minute to minute via DOGE emails and tweets. In the meantime, the Regime is continuing with furloughs, mass layoffs and program freezes that will have ripple effects for years to come. Even if life-saving aid is “unfrozen”, the organizations supporting the work on the ground are effectively paralyzed.
By Friday, Senator Chris Murphy was warning that the death of USAID was imminent—the Regime was planning to dismantle the org and subsume its activities under the State Department. Nevermind the fact that USAID already answers to State—but the State Dept doesn’t have the tools or expertise to assume control of development projects. By Saturday, the website was down and some signs removed from USAID HQ.
There is a bigger story here of the Regime moving to illegally shutdown a federal agency with its own Congressional appropriations budget without even cursory approval of Congress. This could have far reaching implications if lawmakers and courts allow this to stand. But the Regime doesn’t care if they eventually fail in court, because the damage will already be done! Any attempt to save USAID 3, 6, or 12 months down the road will be like attempting to resurrect the dead.
Today, we see reporting that USAID security staff stopped DOGE personnel from entering the building last night and accessing secure systems with personnel data. They were doing their jobs—stopping people without clearance from accessing sensitive systems and classified data. And they were fired for doing their jobs. The DOGE employees do not have security clearances. In fact, some of them are barely out of high school and have zero experience with government agencies.
Elon Musk's DOGE team attempt takeover of USAID
Two top USAID officials were suspended for denying Musk access to systems.
mashable.com
The Young, Inexperienced Engineers Aiding Elon Musk’s Government Takeover
Engineers between 19 and 24, most linked to Musk’s companies, are playing a key role as he seizes control of federal infrastructure.
www.wired.com
Musk, in an effort to justify his team’s actions, took to X today and called USAID an “evil…criminal organization” and “a viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America”.
Strong words! Why does Musk hate USAID so much?? Why are Musk and Trump afraid of an independent USAID that isn’t in lockstep with Trump’s/State’s foreign policy?
Answer: Because USAID helped end apartheid in South Africa at a time when the Reagan Administration and State were hesitant to upset the status quo.
Exhibit A: https://adst.org/2021/06/american-peoples-foreign-policy-usaids-role-in-apartheid-south-africa/
My biggest fear isn’t necessarily for my wife’s job or friends’ jobs—but I’m worried the Regime will use this action to justify defunding and closing any other agency they fundamentally disagree with, appropriations from Congress be damned. My other fear is that China will swoop in with Belt and Road projects to replace USAID, and eventually down the line we will be facing a much more overt Cold War over foreign influence. The Regime will use any flexing by China to justify more military build-up, and former allies we were aiding/developing with USAID will be viewed as enemies.