A US judge has blocked the Trump administration from taking any steps to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
In his ruling on Tuesday, Judge Theodore Chuang said the efforts led by Trump ally Elon Musk (Doge) to shut down the agency may have violated the US Constitution “in multiple ways.”
Chuang ordered Doge to restore access to USAID’s computers and payroll systems to employees, including those who were furloughed.
The judge also ordered that the layoffs of USAID employees be halted, but did not order the reinstatement of previously furloughed employees.
The ruling comes in a lawsuit filed on behalf of 26 unnamed USAID employees who allege in court that Musk is pursuing a “predictable and reckless slash-and-burn approach” in dismantling US government agencies.
In a complaint filed on February 13, the workers' lawyers argued that Musk's authority was illegitimate - since he has not been formally appointed to a government position or confirmed by the US Senate - and asked that Doge's activities be suspended and replaced.
USAID was one of the first agencies targeted by Doge shortly after Trump returned to the White House in January and ordered a 90-day suspension of all US foreign aid.
Musk and Doge argued in court documents that Musk's role was merely advisory.
But Judge Chuang ruled that Musk and Doge controlled USAID and in doing so “may have violated the United States Constitution in multiple ways, and that these actions harmed not only the plaintiffs, but also the public interest.” It is unclear what impact the ruling will have on USAID’s operations.
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