Trump’s Surprise Midnight Move Rocks D.C. Swamp

Democrats were outraged when President Donald Trump abruptly shut down the USAID website on Friday, reportedly as part of an effort to transition the agency to the State Department.

Critics of large-scale U.S. foreign aid have already expressed support for the president’s move, with some celebrating the dismantling of the organization entirely.

Former CBS News reporter Lara Logan defended Trump’s decision, alleging that USAID was a front for the CIA.

“Like I said before, USAID is a front for the CIA. And together with NGO’s like the Open Society Foundation, they have been using US tax dollars & govt resources as their personal piggy bank. It has been infuriating to watch. Hopefully now the whole truth will come out,” Logan posted on X.

In response to Senate Minority Leader and New York Senator Charles Schumer, who was among the Democrats condemning the reported move, Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul made his position clear:

“Abolish USAID and all foreign aid,” Paul posted on X.

Schumer, meanwhile, accused Trump of targeting USAID employees and expressed concern about rumors that the agency would be dissolved entirely.

“Trump’s been purging and intimidating USAID employees. Now there’s a rumor he’ll dissolve USAID as an independent agency. It was created by JFK and established in law to further our national security and spread hope. This’d be illegal and against our national interests,” Schumer stated.

However, Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy appeared particularly incensed by the situation.

“Let me explain why the total destruction of USAID – happening as we speak – matters so much. China – where Musk makes his money – wants USAID destroyed. So does Russia. Trump and Musk are doing the bidding of Beijing and Moscow. Why?” Murphy posted on X, offering no direct evidence for his claim.

He went on to assert that “Over the last week, 50% of the Global Health Bureau and 60% of the Humanitarian Assistance Bureau have been fired. Aid programs everywhere have been closed. The U.S. is in full retreat from the world. Dystopian. No good reason for it.”

Murphy continued by outlining what he saw as catastrophic consequences:

“The immediate consequences of this are cataclysmic. Malnourished babies who depend on U.S. aid will die. Anti-terrorism programs will shut down, and our most deadly enemies will get stronger. Diseases that threaten the U.S. will go unabated and reach our shores faster.”

“And China will fill the void. As developing countries will now ONLY be able to rely on China for help, they will cut more deals with Beijing to give them control of ports, critical mineral deposits, etc. U.S. power will shrink. U.S. jobs will be lost,” he warned.

Murphy also accused Trump of planning to “ELIMINATE THE ENTIRE AGENCY,” possibly over the weekend, stating:

“But Trump isn’t satisfied just to close programs and fire staff. He is now planning to ELIMINATE THE ENTIRE AGENCY. Maybe this weekend. a. That would be illegal. He cannot unilaterally close a federal agency. Another assault on the Constitution. b. Another gift to China!”

“But why? Why hand a victory to terrorists and China and Russia? Why kill babies intentionally? Who benefits when Trump is so soft on our enemies? Maybe billionaires like Musk who make $ in China? Maybe someone buying all that secret Trump meme coin? It all feels so corrupt,” Murphy continued.

Despite arguments from Schumer, Murphy, and other Democrats regarding the legality of such an action, the agency itself was originally created by executive order under President John F. Kennedy.

“President John F. Kennedy created USAID at the height of the Cold War to counter Soviet influence. Congress passed the Foreign Assistance Act in 1961, and Kennedy signed that law and an executive order establishing USAID as an independent agency,” CNN reported.

While dissolving USAID or shifting it under the State Department would not require repealing the Foreign Assistance Act, congressional action would be necessary to eliminate the law itself.

Summing up the situation, Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), made a pointed remark on Saturday:

“Live by executive order, die by executive order.”