A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) likely violates the U.S. Constitution. The judge issued an injunction blocking further cuts to the agency and requiring the Trump administration to restore email and computer access to all USAID employees, including those on administrative leave. However, the ruling stops short of reversing firings or fully reinstating the agency.
U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland rejected the Trump administration’s claim that Musk is merely serving as an adviser to President Donald Trump. The judge determined that Musk has substantial control over DOGE, citing his public statements, including one where he claimed to have “fed USAID into the wood chipper.” The judge noted that these actions have effectively led to the dismantling of the agency.
The lawsuit, filed by USAID employees and contractors, argues that Musk and DOGE are overstepping their bounds by exercising powers reserved for elected officials or Senate-confirmed appointees. The plaintiffs argue that Musk and DOGE are bypassing constitutional processes in their attempts to dismantle the agency. The administration has defended these actions as part of an effort to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in the government, a stance that resonated with Trump’s 2024 campaign message.
Musk and his team, including Trump political appointee Pete Marocco, have played a central role in the two-month process of cutting staff and terminating programs at USAID. In February, the administration put the agency’s top security officials on forced leave after they attempted to block DOGE workers from accessing classified documents. The administration continued to push forward, laying off most of USAID’s employees and canceling over 80% of its contracts, in line with Trump’s goal to freeze foreign aid and review U.S. development work abroad, which he characterized as wasteful and politically biased.
Democratic lawmakers and supporters of USAID argue that the Trump administration has no authority to withhold funding that Congress had already approved. Judge Chuang echoed concerns that the rapid dismantling of USAID undermines the authority of Congress, which is constitutionally responsible for determining when and how federal agencies should be restructured.
The lawsuit, filed by the State Democracy Defenders Fund, marks a significant legal challenge to DOGE’s actions, particularly the first to argue that Musk’s involvement violates the Constitution’s Appointments Clause, which requires presidential approval and Senate confirmation for certain positions. Norm Eisen, executive chair of the nonprofit group, described the ruling as a critical step in challenging DOGE’s overreach, emphasizing that the administration’s actions are harming both the agency’s programs and the stability of the federal government.
Humanitarian organizations like Oxfam America have also condemned the funding freeze and program cuts, warning that these actions are already having life-threatening consequences for people relying on USAID’s assistance. Oxfam’s CEO, Abby Maxman, called for the reinstatement of both staff and funding to prevent further harm to vulnerable populations around the world.
