The Trump administration's decision to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has sparked significant legal and humanitarian repercussions. A lawsuit was filed in a Washington, DC federal court by the American Federation of Government Employees and the American Foreign Service Association. The plaintiffs seek to block the agency's closure, naming President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as defendants. They argue that the shutdown has precipitated a "global humanitarian crisis" by halting critical aid projects worldwide.
The lawsuit highlights the role of Elon Musk, who is accused of spreading misinformation about USAID's spending. Musk reportedly promoted a hoax news report linked to a Russian influence operation, alleging that USAID paid over $40 million to Hollywood actors to visit Ukraine. This misinformation has contributed to the agency's abrupt collapse, which has resulted in severe humanitarian consequences, including the cessation of efforts to combat malaria and HIV.
“The humanitarian consequences of defendants’ actions have already been catastrophic,” – plaintiffs
USAID's mission includes providing life-saving food, medicine, and support to hundreds of thousands of people globally. With the agency's projects halted by orders from the state department, initiatives such as medical clinics, soup kitchens, and refugee assistance programs have been forced to stop suddenly. The plaintiffs argue that dissolving USAID exceeds Trump's constitutional authority and violates his duty to execute the nation's laws faithfully. The lawsuit seeks both a temporary and permanent court order to restore USAID's funding, reopen its offices, and block further efforts to dissolve the agency.
“USAID provides life-saving food, medicine, and support to hundreds of thousands of people across the world. Without agency partners to implement this mission, US-led medical clinics, soup kitchens, refugee assistance programs, and countless other programs shuddered to an immediate halt.” – plaintiffs
The shutdown has also led to the abrupt layoffs or placement on leave of USAID staff and taken its computer systems offline. The impact on global health has been severe, with tons of food worth $340 million left in limbo and children with drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) being denied treatment at clinics. Atul Gawande, a public health expert, highlighted the broader implications of these actions.
“Kids with drug-resistant TB, turned away from clinics, are not just dying – they’re spreading the disease. People around the world [with] HIV, denied their medicine, will soon start transmitting virus. The damage is global.” – Atul Gawande
The agency's collapse is described as having "disastrous humanitarian consequences," with specific claims that 300 babies now have HIV due to the halted operations. Additionally, thousands of women and girls face life-threatening risks during pregnancy and childbirth due to the absence of critical medical support.
“Already, 300 babies that would not have had HIV, now do. Thousands of girls and women will die from pregnancy and childbirth.” – Thursday’s lawsuit
Samantha Power, a former USAID administrator, commented on the geopolitical ramifications of the shutdown. She noted that foreign adversaries like Moscow and Beijing are likely celebrating these developments due to USAID's significant role in addressing global threats that transcend borders.
“I am not surprised that the attacks are being cheered by Moscow and Beijing,” – Samantha Power
“They understand what those seeking to dismantle the agency are desperate to hide from the American people: USAID has become America’s superpower in a world defined by threats that cross borders and amid growing strategic competition.” – Samantha Power