Demonstrators gathered near the U.S. Capitol Building on Wednesday to voice their dissent against potential cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). These protests come amidst an ongoing review of USAID's spending practices, led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), focusing on identifying and eliminating wasteful expenditures. Recent reports have highlighted concerns about USAID funds potentially reaching organizations with ties to terrorism, sparking debate and controversy.

Several protesters, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed skepticism about foreign aid spending in general, emphasizing the need to address corporate subsidies before focusing on international assistance. One individual questioned the allocation of funds to other nations and domestic aid programs while corporations like Tesla and SpaceX receive substantial government subsidies. Another protester echoed this sentiment, arguing that prioritizing aid over the needs of American citizens is "misguided," especially given the existing struggles within the country.

Michael, representing Veterans for Peace, acknowledged the need for scrutiny of USAID's funding practices but downplayed the significance of the alleged connections to terrorist-affiliated groups. He pointed out that foreign aid constitutes a minimal portion of the overall U.S. budget and emphasized the importance of regular evaluations of all government programs.

A common theme among the demonstrators was their disapproval of Musk's involvement in the Trump administration's cost-cutting initiatives. One retired protester, Mary, expressed confidence that a thorough examination of USAID's spending would demonstrate the positive impact of U.S. taxpayer dollars on global safety, strength, and prosperity.

Several Democratic lawmakers also participated in the rally, voicing their concerns about the potential implications of USAID cuts. The White House has released a report detailing how taxpayer money is being used by the agency, including examples like funding for Indonesian coffee companies to enhance their climate and gender practices.

Elon Musk has publicly stated that he and President Trump agreed on the necessity of shutting down USAID. This statement further fuels the ongoing debate about the agency's future.