Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is once again criticizing the Trump administration, this time focusing on efforts led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut jobs and foreign contracts at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Murkowski, an important swing vote in the Republican-controlled Senate, posted on the social platform X on Thursday about her recent meeting with USAID employees from her state.
“This week, I met with some Alaskan USAID employees. They told me about the confusing and harsh way personnel matters were handled by OPM and DOGE. They also painted a troubling picture of what the world would look like without U.S. humanitarian assistance. While I support efforts to find inefficiencies in the agency, USAID’s mission to keep people healthy and safe, even in the most remote areas, should not be cut,” she wrote.
“Dr. Peter Kerndt, an Alaskan physician who has dedicated his life to treating tuberculosis in Alaska and around the world, told me, ‘America is great, because America is good.’ We must not lose sight of that,” she added.
The Trump administration made major cuts to USAID funding and contracts after DOGE flagged several programs. Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who is leading the DOGE effort, has accused USAID of corruption and fraud, but fully shutting down the agency has faced political and legal challenges.
Murkowski’s latest comments reflect concerns she raised in February about how cuts to federal jobs would affect Alaskans.
“These sudden job cuts will harm Alaska and limit opportunities, leaving gaps in our communities. We can’t move forward with responsible energy and mineral development if we can’t get permits for projects,” she wrote in a February 14 post on X.
Murkowski also expressed frustration on Sunday with the White House, questioning President Trump’s refusal to recognize Russia’s role in starting the war in Ukraine with its invasion three years ago and his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I know foreign policy isn’t easy, but right now, I’m sick to my stomach watching the administration distance itself from our allies and embrace Putin, a threat to democracy and U.S. values,” she posted on X.
