The largest union representing U.S. government employees, along with the American Foreign Service Association, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, aiming to halt its systematic dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Background on the Lawsuit
Filed in a federal court in Washington, D.C., the lawsuit accuses the Trump administration of engaging in unconstitutional and illegal actions that have precipitated what the plaintiffs describe as a “global humanitarian crisis.” These actions include:
- An order issued by President Donald Trump on his inauguration day, January 20, freezing all U.S. foreign aid.
- • The State Department issued subsequent directives that halted USAID operations globally.
- The shutdown of agency computer systems.
- Abrupt layoffs and forced leave for USAID staff.
The lawsuit specifically names President Trump, along with the State and Treasury Departments, as defendants. No immediate response was provided by the White House or the named departments.
USAID’s Drastic Downsizing
Sources report that fewer than 300 USAID employees are expected to remain from a workforce that once exceeded 10,000. The agency’s official website announced that, as of midnight on Friday, all direct-hire personnel would be placed on administrative leave, except for those handling critical functions, leadership, or special programs.
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The reduction in staff and suspension of operations have been orchestrated under the guidance of Elon Musk, identified as a key ally of President Trump in his broader effort to shrink federal agencies. Musk, the owner of social media platform X, recently posted that his team had “spent the weekend dismantling USAID.”
Allegations of Humanitarian Impact
The lawsuit highlights the devastating consequences of USAID’s shutdown:
- Programs aimed at combating malaria and HIV have been halted, leading to increased rates of disease transmission. For instance, this has affected 300 infants who could have avoided contracting HIV.
- Reduced maternal health efforts have led to avoidable deaths during pregnancy and childbirth.
- A freeze on foreign aid has stranded approximately 500,000 metric tonnes of food, worth $340 million, intended for hunger relief.
The plaintiffs argue that dissolving USAID violates the Constitution, as Congress alone has the authority to dismantle an agency created under federal law. USAID, established in 1998 through legislation, operates as an independent agency and cannot be lawfully dissolved without congressional approval.
What the Lawsuit Seeks
The lawsuit calls for a court order to:
- Temporarily, and eventually permanently, restore USAID’s funding and reopen its offices.
- Block any further actions aimed at dismantling the agency.
By taking this legal step, the unions and foreign service workers hope to mitigate the humanitarian fallout caused by USAID’s dismantling and prevent further harm to global aid efforts.
