The Tennessean's letters reflect the views of the authors and add to public discourse. At issue today: DOGE and Elon Musk in the federal government.

Elon Musk said President Donald Trump agreed the US Agency for International Development needs to be “shut down,” following days of speculation over the future of the agency after its funding was frozen and dozens of its employees were put on leave.

In the absence of USAID leadership, vulnerable people and governments will turn to China, Russia and terrorist organizations for help, writer says.

Elon Musk called USAID a criminal organization that should “die.” Proponents say it’s a key arm of U.S. influence that, if destroyed, “cannot be easily rebuilt.”

Trump on Tuesday told reporters he opposed “many” of billionaire Elon Musk’s ideas to tackle government inefficiency, but praised his effort to shut down USAID.