Democrats gathered outside the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in protest after Elon Musk announced that President Donald Trump had agreed to shut down the agency. USAID has been a key player in providing humanitarian aid, development, and security programs in over 120 countries for over six decades. However, staffers have reported being locked out of the agency’s computer systems and told to stay away from the Washington headquarters.
Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar criticized the decision to close the agency and lay off employees, stating, “This is how dictators are made.” She argued that the executive branch does not have the authority to shut down the agency, echoing the sentiments of many other Democrats who were present at the protest. Rep. Jamie Raskin voiced concerns about the impact of the shutdown on crucial programs such as HIV and AIDS prevention, anti-malarial education, and global virus containment efforts.
The decision to shut down USAID has sparked controversy, with Musk, Trump, and several Republican lawmakers accusing the agency of promoting liberal causes. This move has raised concerns about the future of international aid and development programs that rely on USAID’s support. Democrats are pushing back against the decision, highlighting the potential humanitarian consequences of closing the agency.
As the protest outside USAID continues, the debate over its closure and the implications for global aid efforts remains ongoing. The future of the agency and its programs hang in the balance as politicians and advocates clash over the decision to shut it down. Democrats are standing firm in their opposition to the closure, emphasizing the importance of USAID’s role in providing assistance to vulnerable populations around the world.
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Video “Democrats protest shutdown of USAID: “This is how dictators are made”” was uploaded on 02/04/2025 to Youtube Channel Global News