Donald Trump’s administration is at the center of a lawsuit over its decision to dissolve the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Trade unions representing the interests of the agency’s employees filed a lawsuit in federal court, arguing that such actions are contrary to the Constitution and exceed the president’s powers.
This was reported by Axios.
Who is USAID suing?
The lawsuit, filed on February 6, seeks to block the mass furlough of most of USAID’s 10,000 employees and to restore the agency’s funding and operations. The defendants in the case are President Donald Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Acting USAID Administrator Marco Rubio.
The plaintiffs claim that their actions caused a large-scale humanitarian crisis.
What does the lawsuit say?
The legal arguments of the lawsuit are based on the fact that the liquidation of the agency was not approved by Congress, and the decision to disband it or merge it with the State Department can only be made by the legislative branch.
The document also emphasizes that the consequences of such a step are already tangible: the cessation of funding for aid programs has led to the disruption of humanitarian missions, the loss of thousands of jobs, and a potential threat to US national interests.
What are the consequences of the USAID closure?
Critics of the Trump administration’s decision emphasize that USAID’s activities are key to international humanitarian initiatives. The agency provides food and medical aid, refugee support, and funds development programs around the world.
As a result of USAID’s dissolution, a number of hospitals, food centers, and other humanitarian institutions that had been operating with U.S. support are forced to cease operations.
Against the backdrop of the trial, statements were made by former agency leaders who called on Congress to protect the agency from liquidation. Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress strongly condemned the White House’s initiative, fearing that it could significantly affect international funding, including billions of dollars injected into Ukraine’s development.
As a reminder, the Trump administration plans to retain less than 300 employees at USAID, while the rest will be furloughed and returned to the United States within the next month.
Opponents of this decision consider such actions to be part of a strategy to undermine US international influence and the White House’s isolationist policy.
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