Workers at the US Agency for International Development (USAid) were told to stay out of its Washington office after its website went dark over the weekend, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing on Monday it would come under his control.
Trump, whose first term was marked by repeated clashes with the courts and Congress over executive overreach, has signaled an even more aggressive approach this time around.
Democrats could push back on some of the most recent changes in the U.S. government by withholding votes on a new spending bill.
The move is part of Trump's — and his billionaire ally Elon Musk's — radical drive to shrink the US government, which has shocked Washington and caused angry protests from Democrats and the human rights community.