Federal judge blocks Musk’s DOGE from shutting down USAID, citing constitutional violations
In a significant legal development, a federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), ruling that such actions likely violate the U.S. Constitution. U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang’s decision mandates the restoration of email and computer access for all USAID employees, including those placed on administrative leave, though it stops short of fully reinstating the agency.
The lawsuit, filed by USAID employees and contractors, contended that Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) were exercising powers reserved for elected officials or those confirmed by the Senate. Judge Chuang’s ruling underscored that Musk’s public statements and social media posts indicate he has “firm control over DOGE,” referencing an online post where Musk claimed he had “fed USAID into the wood chipper.”
This injunction represents one of the first legal challenges directly involving Musk and poses a significant obstacle to the administration’s broader agenda of reducing the size of the federal government. The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the ruling.
The court’s decision highlights the constitutional limitations on executive authority, particularly concerning the dismantling of agencies established by Congress. As the legal proceedings continue, the future of USAID remains uncertain, pending further judicial review and potential appeals by the administration.
