USAID Security Chiefs Put on Leave After Refusing Musk

The Trump administration has placed two top security chiefs at the US Agency for International Development on leave after they refused to turn over classified material in restricted areas to Elon Musk's government-inspection teams, US officials told the AP on Sunday. Members of the Department of Government Efficiency eventually did gain access Saturday to the agency's classified information, which includes intelligence reports, a former official said. Because the DOGE representatives lacked the security clearance required for such access, John Vorhees and deputy Brian McGill were legally obligated to refuse them.

The encounter took place at USAID headquarters in Washington, DC, with the Musk surrogates attempting to physically enter the building. The DOGE aides threatened to call US Marshals to be allowed inside, per CNN, to see security systems and information including personnel files. USAID distributes billions of dollars around the world to combat poverty and famine, treat diseases, and assist after natural disasters. The agency has more than 10,000 employees, according to the Congressional Research Service. (There was a similar standoff at the Treasury Department.)

(More Trump administration stories.)