Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Condemning DOGE And The Trump Administration’s Illegal Seizure Of USAID, Putting American Security At Risk

Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor to denounce the Department of Government Efficiency’s illegal seizure of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), halting the organization’s critical humanitarian and security efforts that protect American interests around the globe. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Before our very eyes, an unelected shadow government is conducting a hostile takeover of the federal government.

Friday night, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency – led by billionaire Elon Musk – gained access to the Treasury Department’s entire system of payments, including Social Security and Medicare benefits and Americans’ tax refunds. I will say more on this in a moment.

But that was not all. This weekend, DOGE staffers also executed what can only be described as an illegal seizure of the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID.

We don’t know who these DOGE staffers are.

We don’t know if they have security clearances.

We don’t know what legal authority they have to access the USAID facilities, if any.

But we do know a few things.

First, we know USAID has been completely ripped apart.

Its offices are closed. Its contracts have been broken. Funding for its programs, which protects American interest around the world, have been halted. And Secretary Rubio said in an interview that he’s been named the acting administrator and that they are “reviewing and potentially reorganizing USAID.”

But who is he kidding? There’s virtually nothing left of USAID to review! Even the life-saving assistance he claims are exempt are not moving.

Second, we know shutting down USAID puts American security in danger.

USAID programs preserve America’s influence in Africa, Asia, and regions across the world. Our humanitarian efforts are critical for fighting Ebola, which is spreading in Uganda right now. It’s essential for countering terrorist activity.

At a time of soaring egg prices, shutting off USAID programs that fight the global spread of bird flu is utterly asinine.

If America retreats from the rest of the world, China will fill in the void. Russia’s influence will grow. Hatred against the U.S. will keep rising. Our diplomatic influence will disintegrate.

Third, we know that unilaterally closing USAID is illegal.

Donald Trump does not have the authority to erase an independent agency created by Congress. Nor can the Department of State absorb USAID, especially because now there is basically nothing left to absorb.

We also know this is just the beginning.

If DOGE attacks USAID today, then you can be sure they will move on to another target tomorrow.

Who knows? Maybe it will be the Postal Service, or the IRS, or the Social Security Administration? They could be next, or maybe our national security agencies.

We also know something else: by shutting down USAID, DOGE is doing the work of Russia and China at the expense of the United States.

In two weeks, DOGE has done more to erode American global influence than Russia and China have been able to accomplish in a long time.

Former Russian President, and Putin ally, Dmitry Medvedev, even celebrated DOGE’s activities online. Russia is elated by what DOGE is doing.

Both Russia and China hate the work of USAID, because it limits their own influence on the world stage. And now China and Russia have, in effect, their own propaganda machine within the federal government.

This is dangerous. This is against America’s interests. And President Trump needs to show some leadership and reign in DOGE before it inflicts more harm on America’s national security.

Finally, DOGE’s behavior is part of a troubling pattern of Russian and Chinese Communist sympathizers increasing their influence on American foreign policy.

A few days ago, Donald Trump named Darren Beattie as acting Under Secretary of State. Mr. Beattie has long pushed the Chinese Communist Party line on the Uyghur genocide. He has repeated Russia’s propaganda on the Ukraine war. He even advocated that the U.S. make a deal to allow China to take over Taiwan.

And now he has one of the most senior positions within the Department of State and oversees a large swath of American diplomatic work.

Make no mistake, DOGE’s conduct cannot be allowed to stand. Republicans in Congress must join us to take action to restore the rule of law and stop any potential lawbreaking by DOGE.

DOGE is spreading across the federal government like a virus, and it’s American people who will pay the price when their benefits and payments are illegally taken away.

###