A judge has ruled that efforts led by Elon Musk and the self-described Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to shut down the US Agency for International Development (USAID) likely breach the Constitution. US District Judge Theodore Chuang also issued an injunction to prevent further action from DOGE towards closing the agency. The preliminary decision demands the reinstatement of email and computer access to USAID employees, but it does not reverse any layoffs. This ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by current and former USAID employees, which challenged the legality of Musk’s and DOGE’s actions.
Chuang also dismissed the position of the Trump administration that Musk was simply acting as counsel. Norm Eisen, representing the plaintiffs, hailed the decision as a significant victory against Musk’s and DOGE’s actions against USAID, the US government, and the Constitution.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit argued that Musk wields excessive power over USAID and that Musk’s and DOGE’s overextended authorities infringe upon the US Constitution. Responding to the ruling in an interview with Fox News, former President Trump stated that his administration would appeal the decision, labeling some judges as “rogue” and claiming they are “destroying” the country.
Trump had previously signed executive orders, including a 90-day freeze on all US foreign aid. Following these orders, Musk and DOGE halted USAID’s payments and email functions, putting a significant portion of its staff on leave. Musk publicly commented on these actions, stating that he had “spent the weekend feeding USAID into the wood chipper.”
The outcomes of these legal actions have larger implications, including impacts on US foreign aid programs, such as HIV vaccine trials in South Africa. The judges’ ruling could significantly affect the basis of constitutional law regarding agency oversight and the limits of third-party influence on government operations.
Following these legal maneuvers, Judge Chuang’s ruling mandates a reset in how USAID employees access their digital tools necessary for work operations. Despite the reinstatement of digital access, the broader implications for staff employment, program continuity, and foreign policy strategies remain to be seen as the case moves through the appeals process.
While the lawsuit targeted the agency-level operations manipulated by Musk and DOGE, the underlying legal challenge to DOGE’s legitimacy, powers, and Musk’s role in governmental decision-making sets a precedent for future cases concerning the constitutional balance between public entities and private actors’ influence over public institutions.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/usaid-shutdown-violates-constitution-federal-judge-says/a-71968302?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
