Overview
- Reporting based on internal USAID emails says Jeremy Lewin, a young affiliate of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, was given top operational authority at USAID and took control of day‑to‑day operations.
- The emails allege Lewin approved cancellation of aid programs and signed off on sweeping personnel cuts that removed nearly all of the agency’s remaining roughly 900 staff.
- USAID records reviewed by reporters show Lewin did not complete standard onboarding forms and that agency security initially could not issue him an ID because no employment record existed.
- Lewin told WIRED he was formally detailed and dual appointed with advice from State Department and White House counsel, but experts and career officials say it remains unclear whether he had lawful authority to act.
- The disclosures deepen ongoing litigation and oversight questions about DOGE affiliates in federal roles, and they raise immediate concerns about disrupted foreign‑assistance programs and legal challenges that could unwind the firings and decisions.