Publication date:
February 5, 2025
USAID Faces Uncertain Future as Trump Administration Moves to Reorganize Agency
The Trump administration has directed USAID to place most of its global workforce on administrative leave, signaling potential major changes to the agency despite legal questions.
Geopolitics
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is facing an uncertain future as the Trump administration moves to potentially reorganize or dismantle the agency. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, appointed as acting USAID administrator, has notified Congress that a review of the agency's foreign assistance activities is underway.
This development comes after Elon Musk, head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), stated he had spent time "feeding USAID into the wood chipper." The agency has announced it will place nearly all of its direct-hire workforce globally on administrative leave by the end of the week.
Constitutional law experts argue that these actions are illegal without congressional approval. Laurence Tribe, a Harvard Law School professor, stated: "Elon Musk's claim that he has President Trump's go-ahead to shut down USAID is flatly illegal and unconstitutional." Experts emphasize that only Congress has the authority to create or dismantle federal agencies.
Despite these legal concerns, the administration is proceeding with its plans. A White House official insisted that DOGE is operating "in full compliance with federal law." President Trump has supported the move, stating that shutting down USAID "should have been done a long time ago."
House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the administration's actions, calling them a "long overdue, much welcome development" in evaluating government spending. However, Democratic lawmakers have strongly criticized the move, with Senator Brian Schatz stating, "USAID was created by federal law and is funded by Congress. Donald Trump and Elon Musk can't just wish it away with a stroke of a pen."
The situation raises significant questions about the separation of powers and the executive branch's authority to reorganize or dismantle federal agencies without explicit congressional approval. As the debate continues, the future of USAID and its global humanitarian efforts remains in limbo.
This development comes after Elon Musk, head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), stated he had spent time "feeding USAID into the wood chipper." The agency has announced it will place nearly all of its direct-hire workforce globally on administrative leave by the end of the week.
Constitutional law experts argue that these actions are illegal without congressional approval. Laurence Tribe, a Harvard Law School professor, stated: "Elon Musk's claim that he has President Trump's go-ahead to shut down USAID is flatly illegal and unconstitutional." Experts emphasize that only Congress has the authority to create or dismantle federal agencies.
Despite these legal concerns, the administration is proceeding with its plans. A White House official insisted that DOGE is operating "in full compliance with federal law." President Trump has supported the move, stating that shutting down USAID "should have been done a long time ago."
House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the administration's actions, calling them a "long overdue, much welcome development" in evaluating government spending. However, Democratic lawmakers have strongly criticized the move, with Senator Brian Schatz stating, "USAID was created by federal law and is funded by Congress. Donald Trump and Elon Musk can't just wish it away with a stroke of a pen."
The situation raises significant questions about the separation of powers and the executive branch's authority to reorganize or dismantle federal agencies without explicit congressional approval. As the debate continues, the future of USAID and its global humanitarian efforts remains in limbo.
