A federal judge has delivered a significant rebuke to Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), ruling that their efforts to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) likely violated the Constitution.
Judge Theodore D. Chuang issued an injunction ordering Mr. Musk and DOGE to restore electronic access for USAID workers and halt their shutdown efforts.
The judge specifically ordered the preservation of USAID’s Washington headquarters in preparation for a final ruling that could fully restore the agency. Judge Chuang rejected the administration’s argument that the key decisions were made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and State Department official Peter Marocco, instead pointing to evidence suggesting Mr. Musk was the driving force behind the shutdown.
The 68-page ruling directly challenges the Justice Department’s claim that Mr. Musk, while an influential adviser to President Trump, has no actual decision-making authority. Judge Chuang cited multiple instances where Mr. Trump referred to Mr. Musk as the head of DOGE, including the president’s post-election declaration asking “the Great Elon Musk” to lead the department. He also referenced Mr. Musk’s own statements taking credit for the USAID shutdown and managing DOGE personnel.
The judge connected DOGE to several other controversial actions across government agencies, including putting Education Department employees on leave and blocking spending at the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
USAID has become a focal point in Mr. Trump’s efforts to reduce government size. The administration claims the agency had exceeded congressional intent and violated presidential priorities, citing controversial LGBTQ initiatives abroad and food assistance for Syrian refugees allegedly diverted to terrorist fighters.
Last month, USAID headquarters was abruptly closed, with employees given just 15 minutes to clear their desks. Following the initial shutdown, Mr. Rubio stated that after his review, more than 80% of the agency’s programs should be eliminated, with remaining functions transferred to the State Department.
The injunction creates an avenue for appeal to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Norm Eisen, executive chair of the State Democracy Defenders Fund, which represented the challengers, called the ruling “a milestone in pushing back on Musk and DOGE’s illegality.”
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