Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Attempt to Dismantle USAID, Citing Constitutional Violations

A federal judge in Maryland has delivered a significant blow to the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), ruling that the administration’s actions were likely unconstitutional. Judge Theodore Chuang has ordered the agency’s functions to be reinstated, marking a major victory for USAID employees and contractors who challenged the administration’s moves.

Judge Chuang’s ruling centers on the Trump administration’s accelerated efforts to shut down USAID, including the apparent decision to permanently close its headquarters without the approval of a duly appointed USAID officer. The judge concluded that these actions likely violated the U.S. Constitution in multiple ways, infringing on the power of Congress to decide the fate of an agency it created.

According to Judge Chuang, the administration’s actions not only harmed the plaintiffs in the case – current and former USAID employees and contractors – but also the public interest. He argued that the administration’s actions deprived the public’s elected representatives in Congress of their constitutional authority to decide whether, when, and how to close down an agency created by Congress.

To prevent further actions against USAID, Judge Chuang issued a preliminary injunction, effectively blocking the Trump administration from continuing its efforts to dismantle the agency. This ruling is likely to prompt an emergency appeal from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, potentially escalating the legal battle all the way to the Supreme Court.

In addition to halting further cuts to USAID, Judge Chuang ordered the immediate restoration of email and computer access to all USAID employees, including those who had been placed on administrative leave. This move signals the judge’s commitment to ensuring that USAID can continue its work without disruption while the legal challenges play out.

The lawsuit against the Trump administration was filed by current and former USAID employees and contractors who argued that the administration’s efforts to dismantle the agency were unlawful and detrimental to the agency’s mission.

The significance of Judge Chuang’s decision extends beyond the immediate fate of USAID. According to The Hill, the ruling marks the first time a judge has ruled that Musk is likely exercising enough independent authority to require him to be confirmed by the Senate under the Constitution’s Appointments Clause. This aspect of the ruling could have broader implications for the appointment of officials within the executive branch.

The ruling against the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle USAID follows a separate legal setback for the administration regarding the withholding of foreign aid funds. In a separate case, a different federal judge ordered the Trump administration to pay the remainder of foreign aid owed to contractors for completed work.

Judge Amir Ali ruled that the Trump administration likely violated the separation of powers doctrine by unlawfully impounding nearly $2 billion in funds appropriated by Congress. Judge Ali, stated that the administration exceeded its constitutional authority in attempting to block payments owed by the State Department and USAID to grant recipients and foreign aid contractors. He emphasized that the executive branch cannot unilaterally decide not to spend funds appropriated by Congress, thereby usurping Congress’ exclusive authority to determine whether funds should be spent in the first place.

Judge Ali had previously ordered the Trump administration to pay all owed foreign aid funds for previously completed work, totaling $1.9 billion, by Feb. 26, at 11:59 p.m. The Supreme Court took up the case for emergency review but ultimately rejected the administration’s request to extend the freeze, voting 5-4 to remand the case back to the D.C. federal court for further proceedings.

USAID has long been a target of criticism from Republicans, with President Trump being a vocal critic of overseas spending. Republicans argue that USAID is wasteful, promotes liberal agendas, and should be enfolded into the State Department. In contrast, Democrats argue that USAID saves lives abroad and helps U.S. interests by stabilizing other countries and economies.

During his time in office, President Trump repeatedly criticized USAID and its personnel, even going so far as to call those who run the agency "radical lunatics." The Trump administration proposed significant cuts to USAID’s budget and sought to eliminate thousands of multi-year contract awards and State Department grants.

According to a State Department memo reviewed by the Associated Press, the Trump administration planned to eliminate 5,800 of 6,200 multi-year USAID contract awards, for a cut of $54 billion. Another 4,100 of 9,100 State Department grants were being eliminated, for a cut of $4.4 billion.

The article also notes that some examples of questionable spending have been uncovered at USAID, including more than $900,000 to a Gaza-based terror charity and a $1.5 million program slated to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in Serbias workplaces and business communities.

These cases highlight the ongoing debate over the role and effectiveness of U.S. foreign aid, with Republicans and Democrats holding sharply divergent views on the issue.