Chicago – March 16, 2024
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor to denounce the Department of Government Efficiency’s illegal seizure of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), halting the organization’s critical humanitarian and security efforts that protect American interests around the globe.
Before our very eyes, an unelected shadow government is conducting a hostile takeover of the federal government.
Friday night, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency – led by billionaire Elon Musk – gained access to the Treasury Department’s entire system of payments, including Social Security and Medicare benefits and Americans’ tax refunds. I will say more on this in a moment.
But that was not all. This weekend, DOGE staffers also executed what can only be described as an illegal seizure of the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID.
We don’t know who these DOGE staffers are. We don’t know if they have security clearances.
We don’t know what legal authority they have to access the USAID facilities, if any.
But we do know a few things. First, we know USAID has been completely ripped apart.
Its offices are closed. Its contracts have been broken. Funding for its programs, which protects American interest around the world, have been halted. And Secretary Rubio said in an interview that he’s been named the acting administrator and that they are “reviewing and potentially reorganizing USAID.”
Second, we know shutting down USAID puts American security in danger.
USAID programs preserve America’s influence in Africa, Asia, and regions across the world. Our humanitarian efforts are critical for fighting Ebola, which is spreading in Uganda right now. It’s essential for countering terrorist activity.
At a time of soaring egg prices, shutting off USAID programs that fight the global spread of bird flu is utterly asinine.
If America retreats from the rest of the world, China will fill in the void. Russia’s influence will grow. Hatred against the U.S. will keep rising. Our diplomatic influence will disintegrate.
Third, we know that unilaterally closing USAID is illegal.
Donald Trump does not have the authority to erase an independent agency created by Congress. Nor can the Department of State absorb USAID, especially because now there is basically nothing left to absorb.
We also know this is just the beginning.
If DOGE attacks USAID today, then you can be sure they will move on to another target tomorrow.
These are some of his views on DOGE and USAID closure.
