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By doing so, DOGE deprived Congress of its authority over the agency’s dissolution, Judge Theodore D. Chuang of the US District Court for the District of Maryland said.
The landmark ruling on Tuesday, March 18, marks a significant moment, as it appears to be the first time a judge has directly intervened against Musk and his DOGE team.
In a preliminary injunction, Chuang ordered that Musk and DOGE “shall not take any action, or engage in any work, relating to the shutdown of USAID."
In his ruling, Chuang indicated that a group of unnamed aid workers, who filed suit to halt the closure of USAID and its programs, were likely to prevail in their legal challenge, and that Musk acted as an officer of the United States without proper appointment from President Trump.
Additionally, he prohibited Musk’s team from engaging in any further efforts related to the shutdown of USAID.
The judge supported their argument that Musk’s rapid consolidation of power over executive agencies likely infringed upon the Constitution’s appointments clause.
Chuang ordered a partial restoration of USAID operations and mandated Musk’s team to restore email access to all current USAID employees, including those on paid leave, and to submit a plan for employees to reoccupy a federal office from which they were evicted last month.
USAID is the main US agency assisting countries recovering from disaster, striving to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms. It was founded in 1961 in the first year of John F. Kennedy's presidency.
Click here to see the text of the judge's ruling.
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