Trump Asserts Control Over Musk’s Federal Oversight Role Amid USAID Shutdown Controversy
Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk, who has been appointed to oversee federal spending cuts, operates under his direct authority and cannot take any action without his approval.
Trump’s remarks come amid growing concerns regarding the level of access Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has within the federal payment system. These concerns escalated following Musk’s announcement to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a decision that has faced strong opposition from lawmakers.
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During a press briefing at the White House, Trump clarified Musk’s limitations, emphasizing that the Tesla and SpaceX CEO could only dismiss personnel deemed unnecessary—and even then, only with presidential authorization.
“Elon is only allowed to remove people if we agree they’re not needed, and that decision is ours to make,” Trump said. “He cannot and will not act without our approval. Where appropriate, we’ll authorize it, and where there’s a conflict, we won’t allow him to intervene.”
Defending Musk’s appointment, Trump argued that his team had uncovered extensive financial waste. “They are identifying an enormous amount of waste, more than anything else,” he noted. “Fraud and abuse may also be factors, but the primary issue is reckless spending.”
USAID Shutdown Triggers Backlash
On Monday, USAID’s headquarters was unexpectedly shut down, with employees instructed to remain at home. The agency, known for its global humanitarian and security aid programs, was reportedly dismantled following Musk’s assertion that its operations were “politically partisan.”
“We need to eliminate the entire agency,” Musk stated. “I checked with [Trump] multiple times, asking, ‘Are you sure?’ And he confirmed. So, we’re shutting it down.”
Trump has long criticized USAID, previously labeling its leadership as “a bunch of radical lunatics.” His administration had already frozen foreign aid on his first day in office, citing his “America First” policy as the driving force behind the decision.
