Federal Judge Challenges Trump Administration’s Decision on USAID Closure
An intriguing legal battle has emerged as a federal judge has cast doubt on the constitutionality of the Trump administration’s efforts to effectively dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This development adds another layer to the ongoing debate over executive authority and its limits.
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According to a 68-page opinion issued by U.S. District Court Judge Theodore Chuang, the Trump administration’s actions in closing down USAID potentially breached constitutional principles. Judge Chuang, appointed by former President Obama, highlighted that the agency’s closure denied Congress its constitutional prerogative to determine the fate of agencies formed by legislative action.
The lawsuit involves more than 25 anonymous individuals, including current and recently dismissed employees and contractors of USAID. The defendants named are Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Judge Chuang’s ruling indicates that “the evidence presently favors the conclusion that contrary to Defendants’ sweeping claim that Musk has acted only as an advisor, Musk made the decisions to shutdown USAID’s headquarters and website even though he lacked the authority to make that decision.”
The abrupt closure had significant impacts, as USAID employees and contractors were instructed to visit the now-closed headquarters in Washington, D.C., to retrieve their belongings. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has asserted that a majority of foreign aid contracts would be terminated.
Judge Chuang’s recent order compels DOGE team members to “reinstate access to email, payments, security notifications, and other electronic systems, including restoring deleted emails, for current USAID employees” and contractors. Further actions to close USAID have been temporarily halted.
This decision has stirred criticism from the White House, which has recently expressed disapproval of federal court rulings challenging the executive branch’s authority.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
