Two top security officials at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) were placed on administrative leave after refusing to grant Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to classified materials, according to the news agency Associated Press.
The officials, John Voorhees, USAID’s director of security, and his deputy Brian McGill, denied entry to Musk’s team, arguing that they lacked the required security clearance. Despite their objections, DOGE members ultimately gained access to restricted intelligence reports on Saturday, as per AP.
Their suspension marks another escalation in the Trump administration’s efforts to exert control over federal agencies through DOGE, a task force created to cut spending and overhaul government operations. In recent weeks, the administration has fired or placed dozens of officials on leave, targeting various departments.
Following the suspensions, USAID chief of staff Matt Hopson, a Trump administration appointee, resigned from his position, according to the New York Times.

The move follows a broader crackdown on USAID, with the Trump administration suspending about 60 senior officials and terminating hundreds of contractors. As per The New York Times, discussions are underway to significantly reduce the agency’s role, possibly by merging it into the State Department.
US President Trump defended the shakeup, telling reporters on Sunday, “It’s been run by a bunch of radical lunatics. And we’re getting them out.”
Musk, reacting to news of the officials’ suspension, attacked USAID on his platform X, writing, “USAID is a criminal organization. Time for it to die.” He later doubled down with multiple posts criticizing the agency.
Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers have condemned the incident. Senate Democrats sent a letter to secretary of state Marco Rubio expressing concerns over DOGE’s access to classified areas and the mass suspensions at USAID.
Senator Elizabeth Warren accused Trump of allowing Musk to interfere with government operations, writing on X, “We must do everything in our power to push back and protect people from harm.”
USAID, which administers billions in foreign aid across more than 100 countries, has faced increasing scrutiny under the Trump administration. The agency’s website mysteriously vanished on Saturday, raising further questions about its future.
With a mandatory staff meeting set for Tuesday, USAID employees expect further workforce reductions. As per The New York Times, the administration is actively discussing cuts to the agency’s $38.1 billion budget, which funds global health, disaster relief, and anti-poverty programs.