Judge Rules Against Musk's DOGE Amid Controversial USAID Leadership Changes
A federal judge blocks DOGE's actions, while a DOGE official steps into a leadership role at USAID, raising constitutional concerns.
Subscribe to unlock this story
We really don't like cutting you off, but you've reached your monthly limit. At just $3/month or $30/year, subscriptions are how we keep this project going. Start your free 7-day trial today!
Get Started
The ruling by a district-level federal judge that the power exercised by the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, violates the Constitution’s Appointments Clause could create complications for the Department of Government Efficiency just as Special Counsel Jack Smith’s case against President Trump was felled for the same transgression.
New York Sun·1M·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
It comes after Marocco and DOGE oversaw the gutting of 83% of USAID contracts, shifting the remaining programs under the State Department.
DOGE official taking leadership role at USAID, email obtained by AP says
PBS NewsHour·1M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by USAID employees and contractors, who argued that Musk and DOGE are wielding power that the Constitution reserves only for those who win elections or are confirmed by the Senate.
DOGE official is taking a leadership role at USAID, an email obtained by AP says
Associated Press·1M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Rubio delegated oversight of what’s left of USAID to a staffer with Elon Musk ’s Department of Government Efficiency, in another step toward dismantling the aid agency despite several court challenges.
Rubio Delegates DOGE Staffer to Oversee What’s Left of USAID
Bloomberg·1M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by USAID employees and contractors, who argued that Musk and DOGE are wielding power that the Constitution reserves only for those who win elections or are confirmed by the Senate.
DOGE Official Is Taking a Leadership Role at USAID
Newsmax·1M·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Chuang noted the quasi-legal sheen that the Trump administration has put on Musk's role, before dismissing it outright.
"Violated the Constitution in multiple ways": Judge says DOGE's USAID dismantling was likely illegal
Salon·1M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.
Musk became the face of the campaign to close USAID entirely.
Judge says Musk and DOGE ‘likely violated’ constitution in USAID shutdown
Al Jazeera·1M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
DOGE's current reach crosses into a large number of constitutional areas and it very well could lead to the U.S. Supreme court having the final say.
Is DOGE Constitutional? Elon Musk's 'Chainsaw for Bureaucracy' Under Scrutiny
CBN·1M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
The ruling is the latest legal setback for the Trump administration.
BBC News·1M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Defendants’ sweeping actions have created vacuums of need all around the world, ceding influence and permitting China and Russia to seize those opportunities left behind.
CNBC·1M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Chuang’s decision turns on Musk’s role at DOGE and Trump’s repeated public statements that the billionaire Tesla owner runs the office.
CNN·1M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
In his damning 68-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang wrote that “the ‘Department of Government Efficiency,’ or ‘DOGE,’ has sent teams of personnel to numerous federal departments and agencies, taken control of their computer systems, and in many instances, taken the lead in terminating numerous contracts and employees.”
GOP senator explodes at 'activist judges' with 'Trump derangement syndrome' after key ruling
AlterNet·1M·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.
Chuang's ruling reportedly marks the first time a judge has ruled that Musk should likely be required to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate under the Constitution's appointments clause.
Judge Rules Musk's DOGE Acted Unconstitutionally by Dismantling USAID
Common Dreams·1M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.
The lawsuit was filed by current and former agency employees and contractors.
FOX News·1M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.
A federal judge ruled on Tuesday, March 18, that Elon Musk likely wielded unconstitutional influence in conducting the Trump administration’s efforts to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Musk's efforts in shuttering USAID likely unconstitutional rules federal judge
Straight Arrow News·1M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Summary
U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang ruled that Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) unlawfully operated to close USAID, emphasizing that DOGE's actions deprived Congress of its authority. He issued an injunction preventing layoffs and contract cancellations related to USAID. In a significant development, Pete Marocco of DOGE announced Jeremy Lewin's appointment as deputy administrator at USAID, consolidating DOGE's influence over the agency it attempted to dismantle. This appointment occurred on the same day Judge Chuang ruled that DOGE appears to lack constitutional authority for its actions, potentially leading to further legal challenges.
Perspectives
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has delegated oversight of USAID to Jeremy Lewin, a DOGE official, signaling a continued push towards the restructuring of the agency despite legal challenges.
The recent appointment of DOGE personnel into key roles at USAID has raised concerns about the agency’s operational integrity and constitutional authority as the ongoing court case indicates potential overreach by Musk's administration.
U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang's ruling that blocks further cuts to USAID by DOGE highlights the tensions between executive actions and judicial oversight, illustrating the conflicts arising from the governance restructuring led by the Trump administration.
FAQs
No FAQs available for this story.
History
- 1M
- 1M