A federal judge in the United States ruled that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) likely violated the Constitution when it attempted to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and ordered DOGE to take no further action against the agency.
Maryland District Judge Theodore Chuang, in an initial ruling, ordered US President Donald Trump's advisor, Elon Musk, and the agency he leads to restore access to USAID's computer system to the agency's contract employees - including thousands of employees who were suspended from work in late February.
This decision comes after a lawsuit filed by current and former USAID employees, who claim that Musk and DOGE did not have the authority to shut down the agency mandated by the US Congress.
“Today’s decision is a significant victory against Elon Musk and his DOGE-based attack on USAID, the U.S. Government, and the Constitution,” said Norm Eisen, head of the Fund for the Defense of State Democracy and attorney for the 26 anonymous plaintiffs in the case.
The court's decision was criticized by the White House.
"Rebellious judges are undermining the will of the American people in their efforts to prevent President Trump from implementing his agenda," spokeswoman Anna Kelly said.
"The Trump administration will file a complaint against this injustice and fight against all activist judges who interfere with the separation of powers," she added.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump confirmed that he intends to appeal the decision.
Judge Chuang said there is evidence that Musk exercised extensive authority legally reserved for an official of the organization while serving in a continuing government position.
The White House claims that Musk did not hold a government position, but was only an advisor to Trump.
Chuang also found that Musk and DOGE did not have authorization from Congress to take steps toward dismantling the agency.
"There is no statute authorizing the Executive Branch to shut down USAID," he wrote.
USAID is the primary U.S. government agency responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance. It operates in more than 100 countries, distributing billions of dollars in foreign aid each year, and employs approximately 10,000 people worldwide.
USAID is the principal agency of the U.S. Government responsible for administering foreign civilian and development assistance. It operates in more than 100 countries, distributing billions of dollars in assistance each year, and employs approximately 10,000 people worldwide.
USAID has been present in Kosovo since 1999, and since then has invested more than $1 billion in Kosovo's development.
The Trump administration has criticized the USAID program as inefficient and inconsistent with U.S. interests, arguing that some of the agency's functions could be performed by the State Department. Critics also say that some social and cultural programs funded by USAID are inconsistent with its core mission.
Since 2022, USAID has provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in humanitarian assistance, development assistance, and direct budget support. Ukraine's vital agricultural sector has been one of the main beneficiaries. USAID said it has helped a third of Ukrainian farmers since 2022 by providing them with seeds, fertilizers, and financing.
Democratic members of Congress have opposed the Trump administration's attempt to bring USAID under the State Department, a move that calls into question the funding of aid programs around the world.
A recent report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) said that USAID, in fiscal year 2023, managed more than $40 billion in funds to support projects in about 130 countries. The top three recipients of aid were Ukraine, Ethiopia, and Jordan. Afghanistan is also among the top ten countries receiving the most funding from USAID./ REL (A2 Televizion)
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