Judge rules DOGE’s USAID dismantling likely violates the Constitution

WASHINGTON — A federal judge ruled Tuesday that the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development likely violated the Constitution and blocked billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from further cuts.

U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland ordered the Trump administration to restore email and computer access to all employees of USAID, including those who were placed on administrative leave.

Thousands of people participate in a protest against Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in Washington on March 14, 2025. Allison Bailey/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

The lawsuit singled out Musk as a defendant covered by the preliminary injunction. Lawyers for USAID employees and contractors had requested the order.