Senior USAID Staff on Leave After Clash With Musk’s DOGE Team

Feb. 3, 2025, 2:09 AM UTC

Senior security staff at the US Agency for International Development were put on leave after refusing to allow Elon Musk’s DOGE team to access classified systems, people familiar with the matter said, as operations at the relief agency appeared largely paralyzed.

The security officials contended that staff with Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency lacked the clearances required to see the information, making them legally obligated to deny access, according to the people. Asked Sunday about the situation, President Donald Trump said it’s been run “by a bunch of radical lunatics and we’re getting them out.”

The broadsides from ...

Learn more about Bloomberg Law or Log In to keep reading:

See Breaking News in Context

Bloomberg Law provides trusted coverage of current events enhanced with legal analysis.

Already a subscriber?

Log in to keep reading or access research tools and resources.