Elon Musk and DOGE efforts to close USAID unconstitutional, agency must be restored, judge rules- The federal judge ordered the government to reinstate U.S. Agency for International Development systems, saying...

A federal judge has ruled that the abrupt shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the leadership of Elon Musk “likely violated the United States Constitution in multiple ways,” ordering the government to restore the agency’s systems immediately.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang issued a sweeping order directing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Musk, to reinstate access to critical USAID electronic systems, including email, payment processing, security notifications, and all other operational platforms used by employees and contractors. The court also required DOGE to submit written confirmation of compliance within seven days.

The ruling comes in response to mounting concerns over the hasty dismantling of USAID, which plays a crucial role in administering foreign aid and humanitarian assistance across the globe. Chuang’s decision also mandates that DOGE secure a written agreement within 14 days ensuring that USAID will be able to reoccupy its headquarters if the final ruling favors the plaintiffs.

In a further restriction on DOGE’s authority, Chuang barred Musk and his department from making any further unilateral decisions regarding USAID without explicit approval from a legally authorized agency official. The judge’s remarks underscored the apparent recklessness with which the shutdown was executed, writing that DOGE had taken numerous actions without obtaining proper authorization from agency leadership.

“DOGE has taken numerous actions without any apparent advanced approval by agency leadership,” Chuang stated in his ruling, emphasizing the need for immediate judicial oversight.

Musk, a billionaire tech mogul and close adviser to President Donald Trump, was appointed head of DOGE shortly after Trump’s inauguration. Weeks into his tenure, he announced plans to dismantle USAID, triggering a chaotic shutdown that left employees in limbo and humanitarian projects suspended worldwide.

Musk responded to the court ruling with a dismissive post on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting the decision was politically motivated. Reacting to a post critical of the ruling, he simply replied: “Indeed.”

The sudden dismantling of USAID has had far-reaching consequences. Employees were placed on indefinite leave, crucial contracts were canceled, and some government personnel working on aid projects abroad found themselves stranded in foreign countries without support.

Nick Enrich, former acting assistant administrator for global health at USAID, issued a stark warning in a memo last month, predicting the decision would lead to avoidable humanitarian disasters.

“The number of deaths attributable to the loss of USAID funding and support is not known at this time,” Enrich wrote in a memo obtained by NBC News. “However, all or nearly all of the awards needed to implement lifesaving humanitarian assistance were terminated on or before February 27th.”

Days after issuing this warning, Enrich was placed on leave, raising further concerns about retaliation against officials who spoke out against the shutdown.

Beyond the humanitarian crisis, the abrupt closure of USAID has also raised alarm bells among national security experts. On Monday, 22 former national security officials filed a “friend of the court” brief in a separate case, emphasizing the importance of USAID funding to U.S. strategic interests.

The officials warned that terminating USAID operations in multiple countries has created a geopolitical vacuum, allowing rival nations such as China and Russia to expand their influence in regions where the U.S. once played a stabilizing role.

“Defendants’ sweeping actions have created vacuums of need all around the world, ceding influence and permitting China and Russia to seize those opportunities left behind,” the brief stated.

Supporters cheer USAID workers as they carry their personal belongings from their headquarters in Washington on Feb. 27.Jose Luis Magana / AP file

With the judge’s ruling, USAID employees and contractors are set to regain access to critical systems, but the agency’s long-term future remains uncertain. The legal battle over its dismantling is far from over, and the final ruling will determine whether USAID can fully resume operations or if further structural changes will be imposed.

For now, Chuang’s intervention marks a significant pushback against what critics view as a reckless and politically motivated decision. With ongoing legal proceedings and international scrutiny, the case could have broader implications for the future of U.S. foreign aid, government restructuring, and executive authority over federal agencies.

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Source- www.thewomenpost.com