WASHINGTON — Two high-ranking security officials from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have been placed on leave by the Trump administration after they declined to provide classified information to inspection teams associated with Elon Musk’s initiative. This information was confirmed by sources familiar with the situation.
According to a formal investigation, Musk’s governing body known as the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, ultimately acquired access to USAID’s classified documents which include intelligence reports. However, the DOGE staff did not possess the necessary security clearance to access such sensitive material. Consequently, USAID’s Chief Security Officer John Voorhees and his deputy, Brian McGill, felt they were required by law to prevent access to this information. Sources who were aware of the developments spoke on the condition of anonymity as they weren’t authorized to disclose this information.
Musk reacted to the news via a post on X by calling USAID “a criminal organization” and suggested that it should be dismantled. He continued with several additional posts addressing his views on the agency. Kate Miller, a member of DOGE’s advisory board, stated separately that no classified documents were accessed “without proper security clearances.”
The White House has yet to offer any commentary on the matter. This incident follows a similar event the day prior when DOGE penetrated the Treasury Department, where they accessed sensitive information related to systems used for Social Security and Medicare payments. Reports indicate that a senior Treasury official subsequently resigned as a result of this breach of security.
Musk’s DOGE was established in conjunction with the Trump administration, aiming to eliminate federal personnel, cut various programs, and loosen federal regulations. Recently, the USAID website mysteriously disappeared without any explanation, highlighting the agency’s status as a frequent target in the broader campaign against the federal government and its operations.
The Trump administration, alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has implemented a significant hold on foreign assistance which has severely limited many of USAID’s humanitarian and development projects globally. This decision has led to numerous layoffs in aid organizations and significant reductions in the agency’s workforce and management within Washington.
As the world’s largest donor of humanitarian assistance, the United States, through USAID, manages billions of dollars for humanitarian aid, development, and security efforts across over 100 nations. Peter Marocco, who has returned as a political appointee from Trump’s previous term, was a key figure in enforcing the agency’s shutdown. Staff at USAID reported that individuals entering the headquarters asking questions, potentially employees of Musk’s DOGE team, were seen as an intrusion.
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren criticized the actions of Trump, asserting that Musk is being allowed to access sensitive personal data and halt government support. She emphasized the necessity to combat such endeavors to safeguard citizens from potential risks, although she did not provide further specifics about her remarks.
