Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) has accused President Donald Trump and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head Elon Musk of orchestrating an "illegal seizure of power," leading to a "constitutional crisis." Murphy's criticism stems from the White House Office of Management and Budget's decision to freeze congressionally approved funding and the Trump administration's review and potential restructuring of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). These actions have resulted in layoffs for thousands of federal employees and the suspension of taxpayer-funded programs worldwide.

Murphy has urged Democrats to withhold support for Trump's nominees until the situation is resolved. He believes that public outcry is crucial to addressing this power grab and putting pressure on Republicans to speak out against the administration's actions. He emphasized the importance of public awareness and participation, citing packed town halls and demonstrations as evidence of growing concern.

Sen. Chris Murphy speaks following the Democrats' weekly policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Murphy argues that the president lacks the authority to unilaterally suspend federal programs and selectively allocate funding. He believes such power could be abused to favor allies and punish opponents, undermining democratic principles. The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment.

President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The senator also accused Trump of defying court orders by refusing to reinstate the suspended spending. He highlighted the drastic impact on USAID, with reported layoffs and staff being instructed not to report for work. Murphy considers this unconstitutional and suggests Trump may be anticipating Supreme Court support for his actions.

Elon Musk leads the Department of Government Efficiency. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Furthermore, Murphy challenged accusations of corruption within USAID, asserting that such claims, made by Trump and Musk, are unfounded and contribute to public misinformation. He views these actions as a deliberate attempt to manipulate federal spending for personal gain and suppress political dissent, ultimately jeopardizing democracy. Murphy stressed the urgency of safeguarding democratic processes against this perceived constitutional threat and pledged to oppose further nominations and pursue legal action to counter these alleged power seizures.