A federal judge ruled Tuesday that the Trump administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development “likely violated the United States Constitution in multiple ways.”
In a 68-page ruling, Judge Theodore D. Chuang of the U.S. District Court in Maryland ordered Elon Musk’s DOGE Service to restore email, payment and other systems for USAID employees and contractors — and to demonstrate its compliance within seven days.
The ruling, in a in a lawsuit filed by 26 USAID current or recently fired employees and contractors, also blocks DOGE from taking “any actions” at USAID — including firing employees or placing them on leave, closing buildings or terminating contracts — without the permission of an official with legal authority at the agency.
Chuang also ruled that Musk has demonstrated “firm control over DOGE” and has likely functioned as its administrator, exercising enough authority to require that he be confirmed to his position by the Senate under the Appointments Clause of the Constitution.
“[T]he record of his activities to date establishes that his role has been and will continue to be as the leader of DOGE, with the same duties and degree of continuity as if he was formally in that position,’” Chuang wrote.
The White House reportedly called the ruling a “miscarriage of justice” and argued that “rogue judges” are subverting the will of the American public by blocking the Trump agenda. It said the administration would appeal.
“Today’s decision is an important victory against Elon Musk and his DOGE attack on USAID, the United States’ government, and the Constitution,” said Norm Eisen, executive chair of State Democracy Defenders Fund, a group backing the legal challenge. “They are performing surgery with a chainsaw instead of a scalpel, harming not just the people USAID serves but also the majority of Americans who count on the stability of our government. This case is a milestone in pushing back on Musk and DOGE’s illegality.”
Separately, another federal judge said late Monday that probationary workers fired by the administration must be returned to their jobs and cannot just be placed on administrative leave en masse, as many departments reportedly have been doing.