Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Effort to Shut Down USAID
A US federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from proceeding with its plan to shut down the US Agency for International Development (USAID), following a legal challenge against the Department for Government Efficiency (Doge), led by Trump ally Elon Musk.
Court Ruling and Legal Challenge
In a ruling issued on Tuesday, Judge Theodore Chuang stated that the administration’s efforts to close USAID were likely in violation of the US Constitution. He further ordered that access to USAID’s computer and payment systems be restored for employees, including those who had been placed on leave.
The lawsuit was filed by 26 unnamed USAID employees, who argued that Musk’s role in overseeing the department was illegitimate, as he had not been officially nominated to a government position or confirmed by the US Senate. The plaintiffs alleged that Musk was following “a predictable and reckless slash-and-burn pattern” in dismantling US government agencies.
Background and Administrative Actions
The Trump administration targeted USAID as part of a broader cost-cutting initiative following Trump’s return to the White House in January. A 90-day freeze on all US foreign aid was imposed, with USAID among the first agencies affected. Musk and Doge contended that Musk’s role was purely advisory, but Judge Chuang ruled that their actions exerted control over USAID in a manner that “likely violated the United States Constitution.”
While the ruling blocks further cuts to USAID, over 80% of the agency’s activities have already been halted, according to administration officials.
Reactions and Implications
The White House condemned the decision, with spokesperson Anna Kelly describing it as a “miscarriage of justice” and pledging to appeal. She also accused “rogue judges” of undermining President Trump’s agenda.
Conversely, Norm Eisen, executive chair of the State Democracy Defenders Fund, which represented the USAID employees, praised the ruling as “a milestone in pushing back on Musk and Doge’s illegality.” He criticized the administration’s approach, arguing that it harmed both USAID employees and the public relying on the agency’s stability.
Broader Legal Setbacks
This ruling marks another legal setback for the Trump administration. Earlier in the week, another federal judge halted the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members, leading President Trump to call for the judge’s impeachment. This prompted a rare rebuke from the chief justice of the US Supreme Court.
The court’s decision temporarily halts the Trump administration’s effort to dismantle USAID, pending further legal proceedings. As legal battles continue, the ruling underscores ongoing tensions between the judiciary and the executive branch regarding government restructuring and constitutional authority.
