Senior USAID Staff on Leave After Clash With Musk’s DOGE Team
- Agency’s operations largely paralyzed, officials say
- DOGE has steadily gained access to numerous government systems
The US Agency of International Development flag flies in front of the agency’s headquarters building in Washington, DC.
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Senior security staff at the US Agency for International Development were put on leave after refusing to allow Elon Musk’s DOGE team to access classified systems, people familiar with the matter said, as operations at the relief agency appeared largely paralyzed.
The security officials contended that staff with Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency lacked the clearances required to see the information, making them legally obligated to deny access, according to the people. Asked Sunday about the situation, President Donald Trump said it’s been run “by a bunch of radical lunatics and we’re getting them out.”