Unions Sue Trump Over "Illegal" USAID Shutdown//

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//Unions Sue Trump Over "Illegal" USAID Shutdown//

People on Capitol Hill Wednesday protest the Trump administration's move to dismantle USAID. 

The Trump administration is facing legal action over its controversial decision to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Unions representing thousands of government employees have filed a lawsuit, arguing that the move is both unconstitutional and illegal.

The Legal Battle

Filed in a federal court in Washington, D.C., the lawsuit seeks to block efforts to place the majority of USAID’s 10,000-strong global workforce on administrative leave. It also demands the restoration of frozen funding and the continuation of critical operations.

The suit specifically names President Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was recently appointed as USAID’s acting administrator. The unions argue that their actions have already caused a humanitarian crisis.

“Not a single one of the defendants’ actions to dismantle USAID has received congressional approval,” the lawsuit states. The legal challenge is backed by the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represent USAID workers.

The Administration's Justification

Elon Musk, who is leading the Trump administration’s "DOGE" team—tasked with cutting government waste—has accused USAID of inefficiency and corruption. He has argued that the agency is beyond repair and should be dismantled entirely.

However, the lawsuit counters that the president lacks the authority to dissolve USAID. Only Congress has the power to shut down or merge the agency with the State Department, making the administration’s actions legally questionable.

Humanitarian Consequences

The lawsuit warns that the abrupt shutdown of USAID’s programs has already led to catastrophic humanitarian consequences. Aid workers, grantees, and contractors have been left in limbo, and essential services worldwide have been halted.

“The impact is devastating,” the lawsuit alleges. “Thousands of American jobs have been lost, U.S. national security interests have been jeopardized, and preventable deaths are inevitable.”

A particularly shocking claim in the lawsuit states that at least 300 infants who otherwise would have been born HIV-free have now contracted the virus due to halted health initiatives.

Response from the Administration

Speaking from the Dominican Republic, Rubio defended the decision, stating that USAID workers abroad would be placed on leave rather than being fired outright. He emphasized that the move included a 30-day window for overseas employees to return home.

Rubio argued that the goal is to assess which programs align with U.S. national interests and which do not. “We’re not being punitive here,” he said. “This was the only way we could get cooperation from USAID.”

He further claimed that previous attempts to reform USAID were blocked by internal efforts to push through unauthorized payments despite a stop order.

What’s Next?

The lawsuit is racing against the clock. According to USAID’s official website, the directive to place all direct hires on administrative leave—except for a few exceptions—will take effect at 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday.

Legal experts predict a fierce court battle over the fate of USAID, with both humanitarian concerns and executive power on the line. The outcome of this case could have long-lasting implications for the future of U.S. foreign aid and government oversight.

For now, the world is watching as the Trump administration’s attempt to overhaul USAID faces its biggest legal challenge yet.