Musk decides to close US aid agency, bans employees from entering the agency

(CLO) On Monday, the campaign led by billionaire Elon Musk banned US Agency for International Development (USAID) employees from entering its headquarters in Washington DC as it closed the agency.

The incident has led to chaos at USAID, which distributes billions of dollars in aid around the world . Mr. Trump had previously ordered a freeze on most U.S. foreign aid just hours after taking office on January 20.

The closure of USAID is being handed over to the newly created Department of Efficiency led by billionaire Musk as part of a plan to downsize the federal government. A senior White House official said Trump is considering merging USAID into the State Department.

Elon Musk and President Donald Trump. Photo: X

USAID is the world's largest aid donor, with a budget of $72 billion in 2023, supporting a wide range of areas from health, clean water to the military . However, under the "America First" policy, Mr. Trump has frozen most foreign aid, affecting humanitarian programs around the world.

Mr. Musk claimed that the Trump administration could cut $1 trillion from the deficit by eliminating waste and fraud, without providing specific evidence. He accused foreign fraudsters of stealing government funds by creating fake citizens, but did not elaborate.

Musk's extensive involvement in the US government has raised concerns, especially given the news that he has access to the US Treasury payment system, which processes more than $6 trillion a year.

Ngoc Anh (according to USAID, Reuters, Daily Star)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/elon-musk-quyet-dong-cua-co-quan-vien-tro-my-cam-nhan-vien-ra-vao-co-quan-post332821.html