- United States
- Mo.
- Letter
The dissolution of USAID by President Trump and Elon Musk is an egregious overreach of executive power that undermines our democratic system of checks and balances. Congress established USAID as an independent agency through legislation, and neither the president nor a private citizen like Musk has the legal authority to unilaterally shutter it. This brazen move not only jeopardizes crucial foreign aid programs that promote global health, economic development, and security, but also sets a dangerous precedent of circumventing the constitutional separation of powers. We must take a strong stance against this unconstitutional hijacking of a congressionally-mandated agency. Musk's de facto control over government functions and access to sensitive data systems is highly alarming and represents an unacceptable consolidation of power in the hands of an unelected billionaire. This flagrant disregard for institutional integrity and the rule of law is antithetical to the principles of our democracy. I urge you to immediately take all necessary legislative and legal measures to halt this unlawful dismantling of USAID. Failure to act swiftly will embolden further erosion of congressional authority and enable the continued subversion of our democratic norms by the executive branch and its unelected allies. Defend the integrity of our institutions and prevent this dangerous precedent from taking root.