On Monday, a group of Democratic lawmakers was stopped from entering the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) headquarters in a highly unusual and unprecedented move, raising serious concerns about the future of the agency—and the balance of power in U.S. government.
The lawmakers, led by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), had planned to visit USAID to protest Elon Musk and President Trump’s efforts to shut it down. But when they arrived, security told them they couldn’t meet with anyone inside. After a brief back-and-forth with security, the group left without incident.
What makes this situation even more alarming is that it’s the first time in U.S. history that elected legislators have been blocked from entering a federal agency they are supposed to oversee.
The agency has been taken over by Elon Musk, who has openly stated his plans to shut it down. Musk has called USAID a “criminal, far-left organization,” and has made it clear that he wants to dismantle it. This marks a disturbing shift, as it’s the first time an unelected individual is exerting more power over a government agency than the elected officials who are supposed to oversee it.
Things have been moving quickly at USAID. The agency’s website went dark over the weekend, with all its information shifted to the State Department’s site. Employees were also told to telework, fueling speculation that Musk’s plans to dismantle the agency could soon be a reality. This unprecedented event raises questions about the growing influence of unelected individuals in shaping government policy.
