A federal judge ruled Tuesday that the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) likely violated the Constitution. The judge indefinitely blocked further cuts to the agency by billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland ordered the Trump administration to restore email and computer access to all USAID employees, even those who were placed on administrative leave.
The judge found evidence suggesting that Musk made decisions to shut down USAID’s headquarters and website, contradicting the administration’s claim that he was only an advisor to President Donald Trump. Musk’s public statements and social media posts indicated he had significant control over the Department of Government Efficiency, Chuang concluded.
The judge acknowledged that USAID may no longer be able to fulfill some of its mandated functions. Chuang stated in the preliminary injunction that the evidence supported the conclusion that USAID had essentially been eliminated.
A lawsuit filed by attorneys for USAID employees and contractors named Musk as a defendant, arguing that he was exercising powers reserved for elected officials or those confirmed by the Senate. The Trump administration claimed that the Department of Government Efficiency was working to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government, in line with Trump’s campaign promises.
In February, the administration placed the majority of USAID’s worldwide staff on leave and informed around 1,600 U.S.-based employees of their termination as part of an effort to dismantle the agency and its programs. Trump’s executive order on Inauguration Day froze foreign assistance funding and called for a review of U.S. aid programs abroad, citing wasteful spending and a liberal agenda.
The White House and the Department of Government Efficiency did not immediately comment on the ruling. The lawsuit was brought by the State Democracy Defenders Fund, with executive chair Norm Eisen calling it a significant step in challenging the actions of the Department of Government Efficiency.
