WASHINGTON — Democratic lawmakers are mounting an aggressive opposition campaign against the Trump administration’s apparent efforts to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development as a standalone entity, warning the move is blatantly illegal on Monday just as Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the swift change. 

What You Need To Know

  • Democratic lawmakers are mounting an aggressive opposition campaign against the Trump administration’s apparent efforts to dismantle the US Agency for International Development as a standalone entity, warning the move is blatantly illegal
  • A group of House and Senate Democrats gathered in Washington on Monday to decry what they referred to as a “ransack” of a “critical agency” that provides assistance around the world to combat issues like disease and hunger
  • Just before the group gathered, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while on a trip to Central America, appeared to confirm a major shakeup has already taken place with the long-time independent agency, telling reporters that he, the State Department’s top official, is now the acting administrator of USAID as well 
  • Billionaire Elon Musk, who President Donald Trump tapped to lead an effort to cut waste in the federal government dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency, said on Monday morning that the president “agreed” to shutting down the agency

A group of House and Senate Democrats gathered in Washington on Monday to decry what they referred to as a “ransack” of a “critical agency” that provides assistance around the world to combat issues like disease and hunger. 

The lawmakers – which included Democratic Reps. Don Beyer, Gerry Connolly and Jamie Raskin, Sen. Chris Van Hollen and more – argued the executive branch does not have the authority to shutter the agency alone, vowing to help fight the potential move in court. 

“USAID was established by an act of Congress, and it can only be disbanded by an act of Congress,” Beyer said, before adding: “Further, I'm urging my fellow Democrats to use every legislative tool we have at our disposal to slow down and stop this crime from succeeding.”

Van Hollen of Maryland referred to the efforts as a “corrupt abuse of power” and said he has already had conversations with lawyers. 

“I am confident that when they look into this, and they are looking into this, that they will also file suits to hold the Trump administration and Elon Musk accountable,” he said. “This is a clear violation of our law.” 

Following their remarks, the group was then barred from entering the USAID building, according to Beyer, who wrote on X that it came on the “orders of Musk and the Trump Administration.” 

Just before the group gathered, Rubio, while on a trip to Central America, appeared to confirm a major shakeup has already taken place with the long-time independent agency, telling reporters that he, the State Department’s top official, is now the acting administrator of USAID as well. 

“I’m the acting director of USAID, I’ve delegated that authority to someone but I stay in touch with him,” Rubio said. 

He went on to make the case that the goal has been to ensure that the foreign aid we give aligns with U.S. national interest, noting the USAID had been involved in programs that “run counter” to America’s national strategy. 

Speaking to reporters Monday afternoon, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Rubio would be acting as the administrator of USAID, holding up what she referred to as an “insane” list of things USAID has spent money on recently. 

After calling it a “criminal organization” on X over the weekend, billionaire Elon Musk, who President Donald Trump tapped to lead an effort to cut waste in the federal government dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency, said on Monday morning that the president “agreed” to shutting down the agency. 

Trump on Sunday evening told reporters that the agency has been run by “a bunch of radical lunatics.” 

Democratic Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey on Monday morning said he spoke with the security guard at the USAID building in Washington who said he was given “specific orders” not to let the agency’s employees enter the office. Multiple outlets reported that hundreds of staffers said they were locked out of computer systems by Monday while the website for the agency disappeared over the weekend. 

Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii said he plans to place a “blanket hold,” on Trump’s nominee for the State Department until USAID is functioning again.