Two unions representing employees of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have initiated legal action against former President Donald Trump and his administration. The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) filed the lawsuit, claiming that the administration's efforts to dismantle USAID violated both the Constitution and federal law. This legal battle highlights the contentious plan to drastically reduce USAID's workforce, a move that has drawn criticism for potentially creating a global humanitarian crisis.
The Trump administration, with significant involvement from tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, argued that USAID was misusing funds and needed to align more closely with presidential policy priorities. However, the unions contend that the proposed reduction from approximately 10,000 global staff members to fewer than 300 has already disrupted critical aid work. The lawsuit emphasizes that these measures have not only endangered international development efforts but have also compromised U.S. national security interests.
"These actions have generated a global humanitarian crisis by abruptly halting the crucial work of USAID employees, grantees, and contractors. They have cost thousands of American jobs. And they have imperiled US national security interests," – the lawsuit
The unions' legal filing aims to secure an immediate judicial order to halt the implementation of the plan to significantly downsize USAID. The plaintiffs argue that the president lacks the authority to unilaterally shut down the agency and highlight the urgent need to reinstate vital aid programs.
"Not a single one of defendants' actions to dismantle USAID were taken pursuant to congressional authorization," – the lawsuit
"And pursuant to federal statute, Congress is the only entity that may lawfully dismantle the agency," – the lawsuit
Targeting several key government entities, including the US State Department, USAID itself, and the Treasury Department, as well as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the lawsuit underscores the potential hazards posed by such abrupt changes in foreign aid strategy. Despite these allegations, Secretary Rubio has maintained that the U.S. remains committed to foreign aid, albeit with adjustments.
"The United States is not walking away from foreign aid. It's not. We're going to continue to provide foreign aid and to be involved in programmes, but it has to be programmes that we can defend," – Marco Rubio
"It has to be programmes that we can explain. It has to be programmes that we can justify. Otherwise, we do endanger foreign aid," – Marco Rubio
The unions argue that the current trajectory of USAID staff reductions threatens not only international aid efforts but also American employment and strategic interests abroad. The case presents a significant challenge to administrative authority over foreign aid policy and raises questions about the balance of power between Congress and the executive branch.