A USAID employee speaks out about the fear and uncertainty gripping the agency following actions by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). They express concerns about potential data breaches and Musk's vitriolic attacks on the agency. The employee also highlights the staff's feeling of abandonment and the impact of the potential shutdown on their ability to assist Americans abroad.
An anonymous employee at the U.S. Agency for International Development ( USAID ) revealed that they and their colleagues are experiencing acute psychological distress due to recent actions by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The employee spoke to CBS' 'Face the Nation' host Margaret Brennan on Saturday, requesting anonymity to protect their family from further risk.
When pressed for specifics about this risk, the employee expressed grave concern that DOGE personnel or even Musk himself might disclose their private information. 'Well, I mean, at this point, DOGE members, including Elon Musk, have access to not just the data within the USAID world and the USAID system, which includes my personal email address, my Social Security number, my entire security file,' the employee stated. 'In that security file is every contact I've ever known, every country I've traveled to, every home address I've had.'They continued, 'So no matter which way I look at it, my information is entirely compromised, and it's in hands that I don't know and don't trust.' The employee attributed the pervasive fear among her co-workers to the Trump administration's initial plans to shut down the $40 billion agency. 'The atmosphere of fear that was in the USAID building, which we're no longer in, the atmosphere of fear, in terms of not knowing who was in the building, not knowing what their motivations were, not knowing if our emails or channels were safe, not knowing how to interpret these executive orders right around DEIA or administration priorities,' the employee described. 'All of that created an atmosphere of massive insecurity. And so people have, I think, lost the ability to know what's true for what's not. At this point, everyone is really scared.' The employee also criticized Musk's public attacks on the agency, labeling it a 'criminal organization' and a 'viper's nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America.' '[T}o have this sort of, to be vilified by a billionaire who has decided that he's unilaterally going to take help away from the poorest people in the world, and he's doing it on behalf of the American people is particularly gross and horrifying. And I am angry. I am sad. I am devastated for my colleagues, for myself, for my family, and for the American people. It’s awful. It’s cruel. It’s gross, and it’s wrong,' the employee lamented.Another USAID staffer who wished to remain anonymous told Fox News Digital that 80% of staff across its bureaus lost access to agency systems last week, including travel, communications, classified information, and databases. This raises serious concerns about the agency's ability to repatriate American citizens from dangerous locations if required. Staffers reported feeling 'left high and dry' and 'have no idea what to do or where to turn' after being 'abandoned by Congress and the government,' the source said, adding they felt the agency was 'hostilely taken over by DOGE.' Despite DOGE and the Trump administration's efforts to shut down USAID, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump's attempts to place thousands of USAID workers on leave Friday
USAID Elon Musk Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Data Breach Trump Administration Government Shutdown Federal Judge American Citizens Repatriation
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
USAID Controversy Live Updates: Nearly All Of USAID’s Employees Being Laid OffTrump has attacked the aid agency’s leadership, saying they were a “bunch of radical lunatics.”
Read more »
USAID Controversy Live Updates: Trump Sued Over USAID Cuts—As Nearly All Employees Face LayoffsTrump has attacked the aid agency’s leadership, saying they were a “bunch of radical lunatics.”
Read more »
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.
Read more »
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.
Read more »
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.
Read more »
Anonymous USAID Employee Expresses Fear as DOGE Takes Over AgencyA USAID employee, speaking anonymously due to fear of retaliation, revealed the anxiety and uncertainty gripping the agency as Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) exert influence. The employee cited concerns about data breaches, loss of access to vital systems, and the hostile takeover of the agency by DOGE.
Read more »