Federal Judge Halts USAID Dissolution, Citing Likely Unconstitutionality

The court's injunction restores employee access and blocks further actions while legal challenges proceed.

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration's effort to dissolve USAID, led by the Doge committee under Elon Musk, is likely unconstitutional.
The ruling restores USAID employees' access to emails, systems, and pay, and prohibits further steps to close the agency.
Judge Theodore Chuang emphasized that the executive branch lacks the authority to close a congressional agency without legislative approval.
The Doge committee's actions included laying off 1,600 employees and furloughing nearly all overseas staff, disrupting USAID's global aid operations.
The case highlights broader tensions over executive power, congressional oversight, and the future of U.S. foreign aid under 'America First' policies.