A lawsuit has been launched against President Donald Trump and his administration by two unions that represent USAID employees over the White House’s proposal to significantly reduce the department’s workforce.
Employees of USAID were told on Thursday that the organization would reduce its global workforce from about 10,000 to less than 300. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) filed the case, claiming the president lacks the power to close the agency.
What Is Alleged in the Lawsuit?
The case, which was filed in Washington, D.C., claims that by trying to dissolve USAID, the Trump administration is breaking both federal law and the Constitution. It reads as follows: “The defendants’ attempts to dismantle USAID were not authorized by Congress in any way. Additionally, Congress is the only body authorized by federal law to legally disband the agency.
Along with Trump, the U.S. State Department, USAID, the Treasury Department, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are all named in the lawsuit.
What Demands Do the Unions Have?
The lawsuit demands that USAID appoint an impartial acting director, among other urgent measures.
- reopening USAID buildings to staff members.
- the USAID website’s renovation.
- the restoration of contracts and grants.
- the removal of staff members’ mandatory evacuation warnings.
Additionally, it requests that a judge immediately stop the proposal to “gut” USAID, which has allegedly been led by Elon Musk, from being implemented.
What Effects Will the USAID Cuts Have?
The lawsuit cautions that by suddenly stopping vital relief programs, their activities have caused a worldwide humanitarian disaster. It claims: “By suddenly stopping the vital work of USAID employees, grantees, and contractors, these actions have caused a global humanitarian crisis. Thousands of American jobs have been lost as a result. Additionally, they have put American national security interests in jeopardy.
Beginning Friday evening, thousands of USAID employees are anticipated to be placed on administrative leave.
What Is the Administration's Reaction?
The move has been justified by the Trump administration, which claims USAID has been squandering funds and should be in line with the president’s policy interests. During a visit to Guatemala on Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed USAID staff that the United States is not cutting off foreign aid but rather reorganizing it to better serve its own interests.
“The United States will continue to provide aid abroad. “No,” Rubio remarked. “We will continue to participate in programs and give overseas help, but they must be ones that we can defend. Programs that we can explain must be involved. Programs that we can defend must be included. If not, we do put foreign aid at risk.
What Comes Next?
This is the first lawsuit pertaining to Trump’s attempts to restructure USAID. With aid programs and thousands of jobs at stake, the lawsuit will probably influence future U.S. international development initiatives. Whether the White House may make such drastic changes without the consent of Congress will depend on the court’s ruling.
