A federal judge has halted Elon Musk‘s attempt to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), stating that the actions taken so far likely violate the U.S. Constitution.
In a landmark ruling on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang of Maryland issued a preliminary injunction that prevents Musk, a close advisor to former President Donald Trump, and his associated entity, DOGE, from taking further steps to close the vital foreign aid agency.
The court’s decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by current and former USAID employees, arguing that Musk’s interference with the agency’s operations—especially his freezing of its payment and email systems—was unconstitutional. Thousands of USAID employees had been placed on leave as a result of these actions.
“This ruling is a significant victory for democracy and the Constitution,” said Norm Eisen, executive chair of the State Democracy Defenders Fund and lawyer for the plaintiffs. “Musk’s actions, under the guise of presidential advisement, threaten not only USAID but the integrity of the federal government as a whole.”
Musk and DOGE were accused of overstepping their authority, assuming control of the agency, and acting outside the executive branch’s boundaries. The plaintiffs argue that Musk’s direct control over the agency violates the Constitution’s stipulation that only Senate-confirmed officers can hold such positions.
Judge Chuang agreed, stating that Musk and DOGE’s conduct likely violated constitutional provisions in multiple ways, harming both the plaintiffs and the public interest. In addition to reinstating employees’ access to critical USAID systems, the judge issued an order barring Musk and DOGE from disclosing sensitive employee information.
Despite the ruling, Judge Chuang did not block the widespread terminations of USAID contracts and personnel, which have thrown global humanitarian efforts into disarray. These terminations, though likely unconstitutional, were authorized by unnamed government officials.
Musk, who has gained notoriety for his role in this controversy, and DOGE have been ordered to reverse their actions, but the ruling did not address the broader dismantling of the agency’s operations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed last week that the administration is slashing over 80% of USAID’s programs and significantly reducing its staff, a move that critics say jeopardizes crucial global humanitarian aid.
In a related legal action, U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ordered the release of approximately $671 million in frozen payments to USAID contractors. However, the government missed the March 10 deadline for these payments, citing the need for individual reviews. A new court order mandates the government to release a payment schedule for all overdue payments, totaling nearly $2 billion.
This ongoing legal battle represents a critical moment for USAID, foreign aid policy, and the U.S. government’s constitutional checks and balances.
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