Judge Blocks Elon Musk’s Attempt to Shut Down USAID

A federal judge has ruled that Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) likely violated the U.S. Constitution in their attempt to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

In a preliminary ruling, Judge Theodore Chuang ordered Musk and DOGE to restore USAID employees’ access to computer systems and halt further staff cuts, contract cancellations, and building closures. The decision comes in response to a lawsuit filed by 26 employees and contractors who challenged the agency’s rapid shutdown.

Musk, acting as a special government employee under President Trump, led efforts to freeze foreign aid and close USAID, calling it a “criminal organization” without providing evidence. By late February, the agency’s Washington, D.C. headquarters was effectively shut down, with employees given just 15 minutes to leave. More than 1,600 workers were fired, and 4,700 were placed on leave.

Judge Chuang ruled that these actions likely violated the Separation of Powers, as only Congress has the authority to shut down a government agency. The ruling marks a significant legal blow to Musk and the Trump administration, though conservative allies have already criticized the decision, calling it politically motivated.