President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are facing a lawsuit over actions that have allegedly dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., argues that these measures are unconstitutional and illegal, violating the separation of powers by bypassing congressional authority. It seeks a court order to reverse the administration’s actions and prevent further attempts to dissolve the agency.
The complaint describes a series of executive actions that froze funding for foreign assistance, leading to the furlough or termination of thousands of employees and contractors. The administration claimed these steps were necessary to assess efficiency and align foreign aid with U.S. policy objectives. However, the lawsuit argues that these actions have created a global humanitarian crisis by abruptly halting essential aid programs, including medical clinics, refugee assistance, and food distribution efforts.
The alleged dismantling of USAID began with an executive order issued on the administration’s first day in office, imposing a 90-day pause on foreign development assistance. Following this directive, immediate stop-work orders were issued, causing widespread layoffs among institutional support contractors and partner organizations. The lawsuit states that this disruption has endangered national security and cost thousands of American jobs.
Beyond the executive branch, the lawsuit highlights actions taken by members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a temporary organization formed to modernize federal technology and reduce government spending. DOGE, which operates under the Executive Office of the President, reportedly played a role in shutting down USAID operations. Employees from this department allegedly attempted to access classified systems without proper security clearances, resulting in the dismissal or administrative leave of career civil servants who resisted these efforts.
One of the key figures linked to these actions is Elon Musk, who has been involved with DOGE. According to the complaint, Musk boasted about the agency’s dismantling on social media, describing the process as “feeding USAID into the wood chipper.” The same day he made these remarks, USAID headquarters was reportedly shut down, and over a thousand employees including some stationed in war zones were locked out of their computer systems.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit include major labor unions representing federal employees, who argue that the administration’s actions have not only violated constitutional boundaries but also caused severe disruptions to humanitarian aid efforts worldwide. The USAID website now states that all agency personnel are being placed on administrative leave globally. The lawsuit seeks immediate judicial intervention to restore the agency’s functions and prevent further attempts to dissolve it without congressional approval.
