U.S. Federal Judge Theodore Chuang has ruled that Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency are likely to have used unconstitutional powers to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
The ruling from a U.S. District Court judge in favor of 26 current and former USAID employees seeks to “delay the premature, final closure” of the agency while the legal proceedings continue.
His order requires that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) restore access to email and systems for current USAID employees and prevent DOGE personnel from taking any action related to the agency without the express permission of a USAID official with legal authority.
He also ordered them to submit a plan for employees to return to the federal office from which they were removed last month and prohibited Musk’s team from engaging in any further actions “related to the closure of USAID.”
White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said the administration would appeal, calling the decision erroneous.
“Deceptive judges are undermining the will of the American people in their efforts to block President Trump from implementing his agenda,” she said.
On the other hand, attorneys representing USAID said this was an important step.
“Today’s decision is a significant victory against Elon Musk and his attack on USAID, the U.S. government, and the Constitution. They are using a chainsaw instead of a scalpel, damaging not only the people served by USAID but also most Americans who rely on the stability of our government,” they explained.
