Big changes are hitting the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and tensions are running high. Over the weekend, the agency’s top security official, John Voorhees, was placed on administrative leave after he refused to grant Elon Musk’s team access to internal systems. This decision has left many workers at USAID anxious about the agency’s future.

Musk, who recently celebrated President Trump’s inauguration, has been vocal about his disdain for the agency. In a fiery social media post, he called USAID a “criminal organization” and declared it was “time for it to die.” Many aid workers interpreted this as a sign that USAID could soon be folded into the State Department in a much smaller form.

This isn’t the first shake-up at the agency. Last week, around 60 senior officials were suspended, and hundreds of contractors were let go. Trump’s administration has been slashing foreign aid budgets, raising fears of widespread layoffs and the loss of USAID’s independent status.

USAID has historically operated with some autonomy, working on health programs, disaster relief, and anti-poverty efforts worldwide. In 2023, the agency spent $38.1 billion on these initiatives, making up less than 1% of the federal budget.

As Voorhees and his deputy are now on leave, the agency’s future remains uncertain. Will USAID survive in its current form, or will it be drastically downsized? Only time will tell.

For now, workers are bracing for more changes—and many are wondering what comes next.