Democrats say Trump's efforts to shutter US aid agency 'unconstitutional'

BBC

3 February 2025 at 1:54 pm·1-min read

The Trump administration reportedly intends to merge the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with the US Department of State
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the news, saying the agency is "supposed to respond to policy directives of the State Department, and it refuses to do so"
Closing USAID is an "illegal, unconstitutional" move, Democratic lawmakers said at a press conference outside USAID offices in Washington
The agency distributes billions in aid to non-governmental organisations, aid groups and nonprofits around the world for humanitarian causes
On Monday, employees were told to stay home and many reported being locked out of their email
A dispute with billionaire Elon Musk, a Trump ally, led to turmoil at the weekend, including top official departures and claims the agency would be shuttered

Democrats say Trump's efforts to shutter US aid agency 'unconstitutional'

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