'What is happening here is illegal': Dem senator confronts security at USAID headquarters

Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) held a news conference outside the United States Agency for International Development headquarters and confirmed that security guards had been told not to let employees in the building after operations were halted under the guidance of billionaire Elon Musk, chair of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency.

"About 20 years ago, when I first came to work for the federal government, I walked through these doors right behind me," Kim told reporters after trying to get into the building on Monday. "It was really tough today walking through these same doors 20-some years later only to see it shut down to employees."

Kim said he received calls "all weekend long" from USAID employees who had been told not to show up for work.

"In fact, I went inside trying to speak to the acting administrator, [Jason] Gray," he explained. "Unfortunately, I was not able to meet with him, and I'm going to continue to try today to be able to meet with the acting administrator because I want to hear straight from him... You know, you have mysterious people within this new administration sending out emails across the entirety of USAID telling them not to show up."

"I talked to the security guard just in there. He said he has been given specific orders to prevent employees of USAID from entering the building today, and I just find that to be absolutely ridiculous. You know this is no way to govern. This is no way to treat public servants," the senator continued.

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"Well, I certainly hope Congress takes action because what is happening here is illegal," he added.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Tuesday that President Donald Trump named him as acting director of USAID. Multiple reports said the Trump administration intended to merge USAID with the Department of State.

Watch the video below from C-SPAN.