Lawsuit filed against Trump over USAID closure, foreign aid freeze

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, seeking to halt what they call the “unconstitutional and illegal” dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Filed in a Washington, DC federal court on Thursday, the lawsuit argues that the administration’s actions have triggered a “global humanitarian crisis.”

The lawsuit targets President Donald Trump, the State Department, and the Treasury Department, claiming that Trump’s executive orders—beginning with a foreign aid freeze on January 20—have crippled USAID operations worldwide. Since then, agency projects have been halted, computer systems have gone offline, and thousands of employees have been laid off or placed on leave.

Elon Musk’s Role in USAID’s Closure

The agency’s dismantling is reportedly being led by billionaire businessman Elon Musk, a close Trump ally and a key figure in the administration’s broader effort to shrink the federal government. On Monday, Musk took to X, the social media platform he owns, stating that he and his team “spent the weekend feeding USAID into the wood chipper.”

While the administration plans to retain fewer than 300 of USAID’s 10,000 employees, critics argue that the president lacks the legal authority to dismantle a congressional agency. The lawsuit asserts that only Congress can lawfully dissolve USAID, which was established as an independent agency in 1998.

Humanitarian Crisis 

The lawsuit details the dire global consequences of USAID’s shutdown, including:

Public Health Disruptions – HIV and malaria prevention programs have been halted, with at least 300 newborns contracting HIV due to a lack of treatment.

Maternal Health Risks – Thousands of women and girls are expected to die from pregnancy-related complications.

Food Supply Blockage – Approximately 500,000 metric tons of food, valued at $340 million, remain stuck due to the foreign aid freeze, worsening global hunger.

The plaintiffs are seeking an immediate court order to restore USAID’s funding and operations, preventing further dismantling of the agency. The White House and relevant departments have yet to respond to the lawsuit, as legal challenges mount against the administration’s sweeping federal cuts.

(With Reuters inputs)