The Trump administration has taken action against two top security chiefs at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) after they denied access to classified material to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team. The two officials, John Vorhees and deputy Brian McGill, were placed on leave after refusing to turn over the classified information, citing the team’s lack of high-enough security clearance.

According to a former US official, DOGE eventually gained access to the classified information, which includes intelligence reports, on Saturday. However, the move has raised concerns about the Trump administration’s escalating crackdown on the federal government and its agencies.

In response to the news, Elon Musk took to X to express his disdain for USAID, calling it a “criminal organization” and stating that “it’s time for it to die.” The White House has yet to comment on the matter.

This incident comes on the heels of a similar operation by DOGE at the Treasury Department, where they gained access to sensitive information, including the Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems. The Trump administration has been working closely with Musk’s DOGE team to identify areas for cost-cutting and streamlining government operations.

USAID has been a target of the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce foreign assistance, with an unprecedented freeze imposed on the agency’s humanitarian, development, and security programs worldwide. This has resulted in thousands of layoffs by aid organizations and a significant reduction in the agency’s leadership and staff in Washington.