Judge rules DOGE’s USAID dismantling likely violates the Constitution
Updated: 4:01 PM EDT Mar 18, 2025
Marissa, it’s been an emotional day here in Washington DC outside of USAID’s former headquarters. We’ve seen people shed tears as they’ve shared their stories with us, and we’ve seen those people go inside for just 15 minutes under federal supervision to clear out their desks and their offices. Bringing out their belongings and bags, boxes, and in some cases suitcases. This is all part of President Donald Trump’s effort to slash the size of the federal government, but it has also upended lives and it has thrown this agency into turmoil. Supporters have now laid off USAID workers, clapping as the agency’s former employees were forced to clear their things from the now shuttered headquarters. What you’re feeling right now in this moment. I just can’t. I’m sorry. For many today was not just about packing up their offices, but mourning the abrupt end to their careers dedicated to humanitarian work. It’s hard to even put into words like how how hard it feels to lose. The effort that we put in over years to build something, Melissa says she spent years working on democracy initiatives and combating corruption in countries like Ukraine. We’re all people, right? We have kids to take care of. We have You know, parents to take care of who are aging, and so we’re all struggling with that as well. The dismantling of USAID, led by the Department of Government Efficiency under presidential adviser Elon Musk has resulted in mass layoffs. More than 5600 other employees are now on administrative leave. More than 90% of the agency’s contracts have been eliminated, and $60 billion in US assistance worldwide halted. The overall goal here with the Doge team is. Help address the enormous deficit, we simply cannot sustain as *** country $2 trillion deficits. The White House says the agency is rife with corruption and the programs do not align with its agenda. I love the concept, but they turn out to be radical left lunatics. Former workers and agency supporters rejecting that notion Thursday. We are not corrupt. We are people that decided to make *** choice to work for. The US and on behalf of the US, I spoke with many current USAID workers who are on administrative leave, and one of their big concerns, of course, is whether or not they’re going to have *** job in the near future. But something else that they keep bringing up is how shutting down this agency is going to have *** negative impact on humanitarian efforts across the world. In Washington, I’m Christopher Seas, WMUR News.
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development likely violated the Constitution and blocked billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from further cuts to the agency.U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland ordered the Trump administration to restore email and computer access to all employees of USAID, including those who were placed on administrative leave.The lawsuit singled out Musk as a defendant covered by the preliminary injunction, arguing that he was wielding power the Constitution reserves only for those who win elections or are confirmed by the Senate.The order comes in a lawsuit filed by attorneys for USAID employees and contractors.Chuang said the evidence suggests that Musk made decisions to shut down USAID’s headquarters and website despite the administration’s claim that he was merely President Donald Trump’s advisor. Musk’s public statements and social media posts demonstrate that he has “firm control over DOGE,” the judge concluded.The judge acknowledged that it’s unlikely that USAID is no longer capable of performing some of its statutorily required functions.“Taken together, these facts support the conclusion that USAID has been effectively eliminated,” Chuang wrote.In February, the Trump administration placed all but a fraction of USAID’s worldwide staff on leave and notified at least 1,600 of its U.S.-based staffers they were being fired. The effort to gut the six-decade-old aid agency was part of a broader push to eradicate the foreign aid agency and most of its humanitarian and development programs abroad.Trump on Inauguration Day issued an executive order directing a freeze of foreign assistance funding and a review of all U.S. aid and development work abroad. Trump charged that much of foreign assistance was wasteful and advanced a liberal agenda.The White House and DOGE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.__Associated Press writer Chris Megerian contributed reporting.
WASHINGTON —A federal judge ruled Tuesday that the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development likely violated the Constitution and blocked billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from further cuts to the agency.
U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland ordered the Trump administration to restore email and computer access to all employees of USAID, including those who were placed on administrative leave.
The lawsuit singled out Musk as a defendant covered by the preliminary injunction, arguing that he was wielding power the Constitution reserves only for those who win elections or are confirmed by the Senate.
The order comes in a lawsuit filed by attorneys for USAID employees and contractors.
Chuang said the evidence suggests that Musk made decisions to shut down USAID’s headquarters and website despite the administration’s claim that he was merely President Donald Trump’s advisor. Musk’s public statements and social media posts demonstrate that he has “firm control over DOGE,” the judge concluded.
The judge acknowledged that it’s unlikely that USAID is no longer capable of performing some of its statutorily required functions.
“Taken together, these facts support the conclusion that USAID has been effectively eliminated,” Chuang wrote.
In February, the Trump administration placed all but a fraction of USAID’s worldwide staff on leave and notified at least 1,600 of its U.S.-based staffers they were being fired. The effort to gut the six-decade-old aid agency was part of a broader push to eradicate the foreign aid agency and most of its humanitarian and development programs abroad.
Trump on Inauguration Day issued an executive order directing a freeze of foreign assistance funding and a review of all U.S. aid and development work abroad. Trump charged that much of foreign assistance was wasteful and advanced a liberal agenda.
The White House and DOGE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Associated Press writer Chris Megerian contributed reporting.
