A US federal judge has halted the Trump administration’s attempts to shut down the US Agency for International Development (USAID), ruling that the move likely violates the Constitution.
Judge Theodore Chuang’s decision comes amid ongoing efforts by the administration, led by Elon Musk’s Department for Government Efficiency (Doge), to dismantle the agency. The ruling orders Doge to restore USAID employees’ access to critical systems and halt further terminations.
The case was brought by 26 unnamed USAID employees who accused Musk and Doge of carrying out a reckless and unconstitutional strategy to dismantle key government agencies. In their lawsuit, filed on February 13, the employees’ legal team argued that Musk’s influence over USAID is illegitimate since he was never officially nominated or confirmed by the US Senate for a government role. They called for Doge’s actions to be halted and reversed.
Since President Trump returned to office in January, his administration has aggressively cut foreign aid, placing a 90-day freeze on USAID funding. USAID was among the first agencies targeted, with over 80% of its programs reportedly halted. In court filings, Musk and Doge argued that Musk’s role was purely advisory, but Judge Chuang rejected that claim, ruling that their actions “likely violated the United States Constitution in multiple ways” and harmed both the plaintiffs and the public.
While the ruling blocks further job terminations, it does not reinstate employees already placed on leave. Judge Chuang also ordered that USAID’s payment and computer systems be restored to affected employees, a move that could allow some agency operations to resume. However, the broader impact of the ruling remains unclear, as the administration has already dismantled much of USAID’s infrastructure.
The Trump administration quickly denounced the decision, vowing to appeal. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly called the ruling a “miscarriage of justice,” accusing “rogue judges” of obstructing the president’s agenda. The administration has repeatedly argued that USAID’s closure is necessary for reallocating funds toward domestic priorities in line with Trump’s “America First” policy.
Norm Eisen, executive chair of the State Democracy Defenders Fund, which represented the USAID employees, hailed the ruling as a significant victory. He criticized the administration’s approach, stating that Musk and Doge were “performing surgery with a chainsaw instead of a scalpel” and causing instability within the US government. He warned that their drastic cuts not only harmed aid recipients but also weakened America’s global standing.
The ruling marks yet another legal setback for the Trump administration. Just a day earlier, another federal judge blocked the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members, questioning why his order was not immediately implemented. President Trump responded by calling for the judge’s impeachment, sparking a rare rebuke from the chief justice of the US Supreme Court.
As legal battles mount, the future of USAID remains uncertain. While Judge Chuang’s ruling temporarily prevents further cuts, the Trump administration remains committed to reshaping US foreign aid policy. The case is expected to proceed through higher courts, setting the stage for a prolonged legal fight over the fate of USAID and other government agencies under threat.
