The US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) website has shut down amid President Donald Trump’s freeze on foreign aid. The move threatens global humanitarian assistance on malnutrition, food security, emergency responses, and combating stunting. USAID going offline is sparking debate over whether Trump plans to get rid of the agency and bring it under the State Department, raising legal issues. According to reports, the administration put top USAID security officials and 100 staff on leave after the CEO of Tesla Motors and SpaceX, Elon Musk, and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) tried to gain access to classified material. Trump has also appointed secretary Mark Rubio as acting administrator for USAID as a “step toward gaining control” over the agency. Rubio says he has notified congress of USAID’s upcoming review and potential reorganization.
