STOP TRUMP’S ILLEGAL, DANGEROUS EFFORTS TO ABOLISH USAID
QUICK READ: By dissolving US AID, in clear disregard for the law and the Constitution, and summarily voiding legally binding contracts with consultants and sub-contractors here and abroad, Trump and Musk, have touched off a global humanitarian catastrophe, which will likely lead to the death of millions in the next few weeks—at which point they’ll become mass murders. Congress cannot let this happen.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
As we speak, Elon Musk an unelected South African billionaire, is staging an unconstitutional coup in the U.S.—shutting down USAID, a congressionally established and funded independent agency that had fought the apartheid regime under which he and his family thrived as rich whites—touching off a global humanitarian catastrophe.
The catastrophe began on January 20, with Trump’s 90-day freeze of all foreign aid. Within days, Musk and his unvetted followers stormed USAID, captured its financial system, dismissed obstructing employees, took down its website, and shuttered the building. They then fired, furloughed or put on leave the bulk of its employees, dismissed all contractors, and ordered all 6,000 working abroad to return home with their families in 30 days.
The 14,000-strong workforce—including contractors and foreign nationals working in the 60+ country and regional missions—is being reduced to 290.
Because we provide 1/3 of global aid, the world’s poorest and frailest will suffer greatly:
Many millions losing health, education, water and sanitation, infrastructure, housing, and food security programs ;
If HIV/AIDS compromised, denied access to life-saving medicines;
Loss of direct services for 6.5 million orphans, vulnerable children, and their caregivers affected by HIV in 23 countries;
Lost planting seasons for farmers deprived of seeds, fertilizers, irrigation;
No more landmine removal programs, leaving hidden killers in the ground for children to discover.
Since USAID’s food security programs relied on produce bought from American farmers, they’re also big losers.
Congress cannot sit back and allow this important institution to be destroyed.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Congress cannot let Trump and Musk get away with these illegal acts—cutting off congressionally authorized funds, unilaterally shutting down a congressionally established agency, dissolving legally binding contracts for goods and services, violating Civil Service rules and employees’ privacy rights stemming from unauthorized access to their personal data. Democrats must: (1) bring government to a halt until Musk is removed and the USAID funds restored, employees rehired, and contracts honored; (2) refer Musk and his cronies to the FBI/DOJ for prosecution; (3) hold regular press conferences to show the American people how Musk and Trump are misusing taxpayers’ money, punishing hard working civil servants, killing the world’s poor who need our assistance to survive, destroying the good will our good works around the world have garnered, and playing into the hands of China and Russia.
SEN. WYDEN:
Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Congress cannot let Trump and Musk get away with these illegal acts—cutting off congressionally authorized funds, unilaterally shutting down a congressionally established agency, dissolving legally binding contracts for goods and services, violating Civil Service rules and employees’ privacy rights stemming from unauthorized access to their personal data. Democrats must: (1) bring government to a halt until Musk is removed and the USAID funds restored, employees rehired, and contracts honored; (2) refer Musk and his cronies to the FBI/DOJ for prosecution; (3) hold regular press conferences to show the American people how Musk and Trump are misusing taxpayers’ money, punishing hard working civil servants, killing the world’s poor who need our assistance to survive, destroying the good will our good works around the world have garnered, and playing into the hands of China and Russia.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Congress cannot let Trump and Musk get away with these illegal acts—cutting off congressionally authorized funds, unilaterally shutting down a congressionally established agency, dissolving legally binding contracts for goods and services, violating Civil Service rules and employees’ privacy rights stemming from unauthorized access to their personal data. Remember your oath of office and your duty to your constituents and condemn Musk's criminal behavior.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Congress cannot let Trump and Musk get away with these illegal acts—cutting off congressionally authorized funds, unilaterally shutting down a congressionally established agency, dissolving legally binding contracts for goods and services, violating Civil Service rules and employees’ privacy rights stemming from unauthorized access to their personal data. Democrats must: (1) bring government to a halt until Musk is removed and the USAID funds restored, employees rehired, and contracts honored; (2) refer Musk and his cronies to the FBI/DOJ for prosecution; (3) hold regular press conferences to show the American people how Musk and Trump are misusing taxpayers’ money, punishing hard working civil servants, killing the world’s poor who need our assistance to survive, destroying the good will our good works around the world have garnered, and playing into the hands of China and Russia.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Presidents do not hold ultimate authority over our immigration laws. Congress cannot let Trump and Musk get away with these illegal acts—cutting off congressionally authorized funds, unilaterally shutting down a congressionally established agency, dissolving legally binding contracts for goods and services, violating Civil Service rules and employees’ privacy rights stemming from unauthorized access to their personal data. Remember your oath of office and your duty to your constituents and condemn Musk's criminal behavior.
Script for Maxine Dexter (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Congress cannot let Trump and Musk get away with these illegal acts—cutting off congressionally authorized funds, unilaterally shutting down a congressionally established agency, dissolving legally binding contracts for goods and services, violating Civil Service rules and employees’ privacy rights stemming from unauthorized access to their personal data. Democrats must: (1) bring government to a halt until Musk is removed and the USAID funds restored, employees rehired, and contracts honored; (2) refer Musk and his cronies to the FBI/DOJ for prosecution; (3) hold regular press conferences to show the American people how Musk and Trump are misusing taxpayers’ money, punishing hard working civil servants, killing the world’s poor who need our assistance to survive, destroying the good will our good works around the world have garnered, and playing into the hands of China and Russia.
Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Congress cannot let Trump and Musk get away with these illegal acts—cutting off congressionally authorized funds, unilaterally shutting down a congressionally established agency, dissolving legally binding contracts for goods and services, violating Civil Service rules and employees’ privacy rights stemming from unauthorized access to their personal data. Democrats must: (1) bring government to a halt until Musk is removed and the USAID funds restored, employees rehired, and contracts honored; (2) refer Musk and his cronies to the FBI/DOJ for prosecution; (3) hold regular press conferences to show the American people how Musk and Trump are misusing taxpayers’ money, punishing hard working civil servants, killing the world’s poor who need our assistance to survive, destroying the good will our good works around the world have garnered, and playing into the hands of China and Russia.
SCRIPT FOR Janelle Bynum (OR-05)
DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Congress cannot let Trump and Musk get away with these illegal acts—cutting off congressionally authorized funds, unilaterally shutting down a congressionally established agency, dissolving legally binding contracts for goods and services, violating Civil Service rules and employees’ privacy rights stemming from unauthorized access to their personal data. Democrats must: (1) bring government to a halt until Musk is removed and the USAID funds restored, employees rehired, and contracts honored; (2) refer Musk and his cronies to the FBI/DOJ for prosecution; (3) hold regular press conferences to show the American people how Musk and Trump are misusing taxpayers’ money, punishing hard working civil servants, killing the world’s poor who need our assistance to survive, destroying the good will our good works around the world have garnered, and playing into the hands of China and Russia.
Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Congress cannot let Trump and Musk get away with these illegal acts—cutting off congressionally authorized funds, unilaterally shutting down a congressionally established agency, dissolving legally binding contracts for goods and services, violating Civil Service rules and employees’ privacy rights stemming from unauthorized access to their personal data. Democrats must: (1) bring government to a halt until Musk is removed and the USAID funds restored, employees rehired, and contracts honored; (2) refer Musk and his cronies to the FBI/DOJ for prosecution; (3) hold regular press conferences to show the American people how Musk and Trump are misusing taxpayers’ money, punishing hard working civil servants, killing the world’s poor who need our assistance to survive, destroying the good will our good works around the world have garnered, and playing into the hands of China and Russia.
FURTHER READING
In Breaking USAID, the Trump Administration May Have Broken the Law
Can the President Dissolve USAID by Executive Order
USAID fought apartheid. Musk is killing it.
What USAID does, and why Trump and Musk want to get rid of it
The Musk-led attack on USAID is part of the larger Project 2025 agenda
Trump Administration to Lay Off Nearly All of U.S. Aid Agency’s Staff
How spending $153M to pay its bills put USAID in DOGE’s crosshairs
U.S. soft power took decades to build. Trump is dismantling it in weeks.
