Trump Administration Sued Over USAID Dismantling

The Trump administration faces a lawsuit from the American Foreign Service Association and the American Federation of Government Employees, challenging its efforts to dismantle the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The administration's plan to significantly reduce USAID's workforce, leaving fewer than 300 employees, is claimed to be unconstitutional, as only Congress has the authority to dismantle a federal agency. The lawsuit argues that these actions have caused a global humanitarian crisis by halting critical aid programs and jeopardizing US national security interests. The dismantling effort, led by Trump's ally Elon Musk, is part of a broader initiative to streamline federal bureaucracy. USAID, which disbursed $71.9 billion in 2023, plays a vital role in providing aid to countries like Ukraine, Ethiopia, and Yemen. The lawsuit seeks to block the administration's actions and calls for the restoration of USAID's operations and workforce.