Trump: Musk to expand government corruption audits beyond USAID

US President Donald Trump announced that entrepreneur Elon Musk, who currently leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), will extend his investigations beyond the Agency for International Development (USAID) to examine other government agencies for corruption.

The president commended Musk’s team, referring to them as “great staff” and emphasizing Musk’s long-standing interest in improving government operations, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media outlets.

Speaking at the White House, Trump praised Musk's efforts, stating, “Elon is doing a great job uncovering appalling waste, fraud, and corruption. You’ve seen what’s happening with USAID, but you will see even more in other agencies and different parts of the government.”

Musk has emerged as a key figure in the Trump administration’s crackdown on inefficiency within US government departments. Recently, DOGE obtained access to confidential Treasury Department payment data following the resignation of acting Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, David Lebryk.

As part of its broader cost-cutting initiative, the Trump administration is targeting USAID, a major provider of humanitarian aid worldwide. USAID, which employs approximately 10,000 people —two-thirds of whom work overseas — has been informed that many staff members will be placed on paid administrative leave.

Employees have been instructed to remain available but are barred from entering USAID buildings. The agency’s global initiatives, including medical aid, landmine clearance, and epidemic control, play a crucial role in crisis-affected regions such as Ukraine and Africa.

The administration’s push to scale back USAID operations has been strongly backed by Musk, who has publicly called for the agency’s closure, describing it as “beyond repair.” This position has sparked intense backlash, particularly from Democrats, who argue that dismantling USAID would weaken US foreign policy and national security.

Established in 1961, USAID operates in more than 60 countries and managed over $40 billion in aid during the 2023 fiscal year. Critics warn that shutting down the agency would not only harm vulnerable populations worldwide but also diminish America’s global influence and competitiveness.

As the Trump administration continues its aggressive budget-cutting agenda, the future of USAID remains uncertain, with political battles expected to intensify in the coming months.

By Tamilla Hasanova