A federal judge has determined that the Trump administration likely contravened the Constitution by effectively closing the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). In a 68-page opinion issued Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Theodore Chuang, appointed by President Obama, stated that the actions of the defendants in quickly shutting down USAID, including the apparent decision to permanently close its headquarters without the approval of a duly appointed USAID Officer, likely breached the United States Constitution in several ways. According to Judge Chuang, these actions harmed both the plaintiffs and the public interest by depriving Congress of its constitutional role in deciding the fate of an agency created by legislation.
The plaintiffs in this case are over two dozen currently employed or recently dismissed individuals and contractors from USAID. The defendants are Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency.
Late last month, USAID employees who had been terminated or placed on administrative leave were instructed to retrieve their personal items from the now-closed USAID headquarters in Washington, D.C. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated that a significant number of foreign aid contracts will be canceled. Recently, the White House has expressed criticism towards federal judges who have ruled against the authority of the executive branch.
