Labor groups have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging its decision to dismantle the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The move, which would reduce USAID’s workforce to fewer than 300 employees, has sparked widespread outrage among human rights advocates, lawmakers, and international allies. The drastic cuts to the agency, which has long served as a pillar of humanitarian aid, could result in severe setbacks for disaster relief, poverty alleviation, and public health initiatives worldwide.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and several nonprofit organizations, asserts that the administration lacks the constitutional authority to unilaterally dismantle a congressionally funded agency. USAID, established in 1961 under the Foreign Assistance Act, has been a critical component of US foreign policy, providing aid to war-torn and impoverished nations. Legal experts argue that Trump’s move violates long-standing federal statutes governing foreign assistance and executive overreach.
Attorney Sarah Montgomery, representing the plaintiffs, stated, “This is a blatant overreach of executive power. The administration’s attempt to undermine USAID not only violates federal law but also threatens the lives of millions who rely on its programs.” The lawsuit references the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which prohibits the executive branch from withholding or defunding programs without congressional approval.
Human rights organizations and political analysts have condemned the decision as a direct attack on the most vulnerable populations, calling it an affront to the United States’ historical leadership in humanitarian aid. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), USAID’s efforts have been instrumental in fighting global poverty, eradicating diseases, and promoting democracy in developing nations.
“The United States has historically been a global leader in humanitarian aid,” said Amnesty International spokesperson Daniel Carter. “Shutting down USAID sends a dangerous message that the US is retreating from its commitments to human rights and international development.”
The consequences of this decision are far-reaching, with immediate impacts expected in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. USAID funds numerous health initiatives, including HIV/AIDS treatment programs, polio eradication, and maternal health services, many of which are now at risk. According to a 2024 World Health Organization (WHO) report, USAID-funded health programs have helped prevent over 1 million child deaths annually. Cutting these programs could lead to a resurgence of preventable diseases in vulnerable regions.
The decision has been met with intense criticism from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) called the move “a reckless and short-sighted decision that undermines US credibility and leadership on the global stage.” Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a moderate Republican, also expressed concerns, stating, “USAID has been vital to our diplomatic and national security interests. Eliminating it is both irresponsible and dangerous.”
Internationally, US allies have voiced their concerns, warning that the dismantling of USAID could have dire consequences for global stability. European Union officials urged the United States to reconsider, emphasizing that USAID’s work is critical to global development and disaster response.
The United States’ withdrawal from international humanitarian aid will create a vacuum that hostile actors like China and Russia will eagerly fill, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. “This move weakens Western democratic influence and emboldens authoritarian regimes.”
According to Fox, Elon Musk stated on Monday that during a conversation with President Trump, the president agreed to shut the agency down. “They’re a tremendous fraud,” Trump said. “They turned out to be radical left lunatics.”
Following this decision, President Trump appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the Acting Administrator of USAID. The State Department announced that it is considering a reorganization of the agency.
“In many cases, USAID is involved in programs that run counter to what we’re trying to do in our national strategy with that country or with that region. That cannot continue,” Rubio said.
Experts warn that the decision could worsen humanitarian crises worldwide. USAID’s budget has funded disaster relief efforts in countries affected by war, famine, and natural disasters. A 2023 report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) found that USAID provided over 60% of emergency food assistance in conflict zones, including Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. The loss of this funding could push millions into famine and displacement.
Critics also argue that Trump’s dismantling of USAID is not just a foreign policy blunder but an attack on American jobs and economic interests. The move would result in thousands of job losses for US citizens working for the agency, both domestically and abroad. According to the Federal Employee Union, USAID employs approximately 9,000 people, including contractors, who are now at risk of losing their livelihoods.
Trump’s decision to dismantle USAID is the latest in a series of policies that critics argue undermine America’s global standing and betray its founding principles. His previous efforts to defund social programs, weaken international alliances, and attack democratic institutions have drawn comparisons to authoritarian tactics.
“This administration has consistently prioritized isolationism and corporate interests over human rights and global stability,” said Dr. Rachel Porter, a political analyst at Georgetown University. “The destruction of USAID aligns with Trump’s broader agenda of dismantling government institutions that serve the public good.”
Moreover, the dismantling of USAID contradicts the US Constitution’s guiding principles, which emphasize the role of government in protecting human welfare. The First Amendment protects the rights of civil society organizations that rely on USAID funding to provide services such as education, clean water, and medical aid. By defunding these initiatives, Trump’s actions could be seen as an assault on the rights of both American citizens and global beneficiaries.
The battle over USAID’s future is shaping up to be a defining moment in the debate over American foreign aid, human rights policy, and executive power. As legal proceedings unfold, labor unions, human rights advocates, and lawmakers continue to push back against what they see as an unjust and dangerous decision.
If the administration’s actions are not stopped, millions of people worldwide will face the consequences of abandoned aid programs, while thousands of US citizens will lose their jobs. The global perception of the United States as a leader in humanitarian aid and diplomacy is at risk, making this lawsuit a critical test of whether America will continue to uphold its values or retreat into isolationism.
