Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he is now acting head of USAID, which provides billions in aid worldwide.
Democrats called the move "illegal" and "unconstitutional." They say it will hurt poor people and reduce U.S. influence globally.
President Trump and adviser Elon Musk have strongly criticized USAID. Trump claims the agency has "tremendous fraud."
USAID was started in 1961. It has 10,000 employees and a $40 billion budget. Total U.S. foreign aid is $68 billion.
Rubio said some USAID work will continue. But it must align with U.S. foreign policy.
Musk leads an unofficial cost-cutting team. He said the administration plans to close USAID. The agency website went dark, and workers were told to stay home on Monday.
Lawmakers said shutting down USAID is illegal and harms national security. They worry it could cause problems containing ISIS fighters in Syria.
Some claim Musk has business motives related to China. Musk called USAID "evil" and a "radical-left political psy op."
The White House said Musk was given a part-time government job. This may require financial disclosures. Trump said Musk can only cut staff with approval.
The website is down, so key aid information is unavailable. Officials clashed with Musk's team over classified data access.
USAID's security directors were placed on leave. The chief of staff resigned. The situation remains tense and uncertain.
Democrats called the move "illegal" and "unconstitutional." They say it will hurt poor people and reduce U.S. influence globally.
President Trump and adviser Elon Musk have strongly criticized USAID. Trump claims the agency has "tremendous fraud."
USAID was started in 1961. It has 10,000 employees and a $40 billion budget. Total U.S. foreign aid is $68 billion.
Rubio said some USAID work will continue. But it must align with U.S. foreign policy.
Musk leads an unofficial cost-cutting team. He said the administration plans to close USAID. The agency website went dark, and workers were told to stay home on Monday.
Lawmakers said shutting down USAID is illegal and harms national security. They worry it could cause problems containing ISIS fighters in Syria.
Some claim Musk has business motives related to China. Musk called USAID "evil" and a "radical-left political psy op."
The White House said Musk was given a part-time government job. This may require financial disclosures. Trump said Musk can only cut staff with approval.
The website is down, so key aid information is unavailable. Officials clashed with Musk's team over classified data access.
USAID's security directors were placed on leave. The chief of staff resigned. The situation remains tense and uncertain.
