A judge has ruled that DOGE’s shutdown of USAID was likely unconstitutional.
US District Judge, Theodore Chuang, handed down the important ruling.
The case was brought by more than 20 current and former USAID employees and contractors.
Chuang ordered a halt to the further dismantlement of USAID.
He said “The court finds that Defendant’s unilateral actions to shut down USAID likely violated the United Sates constitution.”
He ruled that DOGE cannot terminate any more USAID contracts, or fire or suspend more staff.
The ruling was a preliminary injunction and the Trump administration has indicated that it plans to appeal.
Trump said “We have rogue judges that are destroying our country.”
A significant issue is Elon Musk’s role in Trump administration, how he was appointed and how his decisions are carried out.
Chuang noted that both Trump and Musk have publicly stated that Musk is leading DOGE.
However, department heads must be confirmed by the Senate – and Musk never has.
It seems as though Musk is leading the agency without being confirmed through the normal process.
Judge Chuang didn’t stop DOGE from accessing the personal data of USAID employees but did say that this information must not be shared outside of DOGE.
He also ruled that USAID systems must be reinstated.
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