Elon Musk's controversial overhaul of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has sparked fierce debate in the Senate, with Republicans largely defending the changes while Democrats decry Musk's unprecedented influence and the process's legality.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen stands behind the door of the U.S. Agency for International Development in Washington, Feb. 3, 2025. Senate Republicans defended the Trump administration's sweeping revamp of the U.S. Agency for International Development ( USAID ) led by Elon Musk , but some lawmakers downplayed the billionaire's power over the president -- despite criticism from Senate Democrats . 'In terms of any decisions made, those are made by the president or the secretary,' Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo.
, told ABC News on Tuesday. 'If Musk wants to make recommendations, wants to go and say, you know, 'We ought to cancel this, we ought to cancel that,' that's fine.' Hawley dismissed Musk's framing that he has more authority, calling it 'a form of self-promotion' and saying the efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, are more of an audit. However, Democrats disagreed, slamming Musk's involvement as problematic for Congress and the public. 'Elon Musk's role is not only unprecedented, it is unconscionable for him to be exercising the kind of influence and power that he is with his conflicts of interest and his financial benefits flowing to him from the kind of destructive impact,' Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said. 'It's not disruptive -- it is destructive.'Still, several GOP lawmakers defended the administration's decision to gut a congressionally appropriated agency. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., said it was a long time coming. Sen. Josh Hawley speaks as Kash Patel, President Donald Trump's nominee to be director of the FBI, testifies before a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, Jan. 30, 2025.'This idea that people are concerned in these agencies, there's a lot of great people that work there, but we've gone astray, I think a lot of this spending across the world, the American people are tired of it,' he said. Elon Musk called the USAID 'hopeless,' and said he was 'in the process' of 'shutting down' -- which he said President Donald Trump supports. Tesla, SpaceX and X CEO Elon Musk arrives for the Inauguration of Donald J. Trump in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington.'We spent the weekend feeding USAID into the wood chipper,' Musk wrote on X. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., told ABC News' Rachel Scott on Tuesday, 'My message to my Democratic friends and to the tofu-eating 'wokerati' at USAID is, 'I hear your question, but you need to call somebody who cares.' A week ago, there were lingering questions on Capitol Hill about whether a handful of Republicans would tank the president's most controversial nominees or if any Republicans would raise concerns about the sweeping changes across federal agencies, but these questions have since quieted. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said he doesn't have any concerns about Musk's role in the federal government, saying that Musk reminds him of a 'strategist.' 'He is throwing out big ideas. And if anybody thinks that all of these big ideas are going to be implemented to conclusion, they don't understand the process of disruption,' Tillis said. 'Everybody is acting like Congress doesn't exist anymore. Many of the things he's thinking about will require Congressional approval to actually structurally change them.' But when asked why the changes wouldn't then go through Congress, Tillis called that the 'old way of doing things.'Sen. Brian Schatz speaks as Sen. Patty Murray, from left, Sen. Elizabeth Warren., and Sen. Ron Wyden, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, listen during a news conference about the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, at the Capitol, Feb. 3, 2025.Democrats pounced, continuing to sound the alarm and arguing that it's only a matter of time until congressional Republicans and Musk are at loggerheads. 'There's going to be a contest here of who's really in charge,' Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said. 'Whether you're a Democrat or a Republican, the idea that you can go back to last year's appropriations and just shut it down cold, without any recourse, is wrong.'In an impassioned speech on the Senate floor Monday evening, Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, who sits on the Foreign Relations Committee, called DOGE's actions 'flatly illegal' and raised questions about whether the U.S. truly believes in the rule of law. 'I've got agencies I don't like … agencies that I think are spending too much money or too little money. Do you know what I do about that? I introduce a bill to change that because I believe in the American system of government,' Schatz said. While speaking on the floor, Schatz got passionate, raising his voice and pounding his fist on the lectern as he expressed frustration about the situation unfolding. He also suggested that the move to unilaterally act without notifying Congress, in violation of congressional appropriation, was unAmerican.'People are dying now,' he emphasized, arguing that changes could be made 'while you keep the agency open.
ELON MUSK USAID DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY DOGE CONGRESS SENATE REPUBLICANS SENATE DEMOCRATS DONALD TRUMP INTERNATIONAL AID
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Senate Republicans Defend Musk's USAID Revamp Amid Democrat OutrageSenate Republicans defended Elon Musk's involvement in the Trump administration's overhaul of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), while Democrats condemned the move as 'unconscionable' and 'destructive.' Republicans downplayed Musk's influence, while Democrats criticized his conflicts of interest and the agency's abrupt shutdown.
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Senate Republicans Defend Trump Administration's Revamp of USAID Led by Elon MuskSenate Republicans defended the Trump administration's sweeping changes to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) led by Elon Musk, despite criticism from Senate Democrats. While some Republicans downplayed Musk's power over the president, Democrats slammed his involvement as problematic. Musk, who called USAID 'hopeless,' claimed to be 'in the process' of 'shutting it down' with President Trump's support. Republican senators defended the move, citing concerns about agency spending and a desire for change. However, Democrats raised concerns about the legality of the changes and the lack of Congressional oversight. The situation highlights a clash between Republicans who support Musk's approach and Democrats who believe in traditional government processes.
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Musk's USAID Revamp Sparks Outrage, Defiance from DemocratsElon Musk's sweeping changes to the USAID, spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have drawn heavy criticism from Democrats, who denounce the billionaire's unprecedented influence and the agency's sudden shutdown. While Senate Republicans defend the revamp, Democrats warn of congressional overreach and potential harm to US interests.
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Musk Claims Trump Agrees to Shut Down USAIDElon Musk announced that President Trump has agreed to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Musk, leading a civilian review of the federal government, stated that USAID is 'beyond repair' and accused it of promoting liberal causes. USAID employees were instructed to stay out of the agency's Washington headquarters and reported being locked out of computer systems. The move comes after the Trump administration placed two top security chiefs at USAID on leave for refusing to share classified material with Musk's inspection teams.
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Musk's Push to Shut Down USAID Sparks Chaos and Congressional OppositionElon Musk's attempt to close the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has triggered a series of events, including a temporary closure of USAID headquarters and an intervention by Senator Marco Rubio. While Musk argues for the agency's closure, Rubio, appointed as acting administrator, seeks to reorganize USAID under the State Department's control. Democratic lawmakers vehemently oppose Musk's actions, emphasizing USAID's Congressional mandate and critical role in global development, counterterrorism, and public health.
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Elon Musk Announces Plan to Shut Down USAIDBillionaire Elon Musk announced that President Donald Trump has agreed to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) after a civilian review led by Musk uncovered alleged misconduct and security breaches within the agency. Musk's claims stem from a dispute over access to classified information, where USAID security officials reportedly refused to grant access to Musk's team. The agency's headquarters was subsequently closed to staff on Monday, February 3, 2025, adding to the uncertainty surrounding USAID's future.
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