DOGE protestors outside the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., March 11, 2025. (Peter Pinedo/Fox News Digital)
‘HYSTERIA’: WHITE HOUSE SHUTS DOWN CONCERNS OVER USAID DOCUMENT PURGE
A group of 26 unidentified current and former USAID employees or contractors alleged the Trump administration unlawfully canceled government contracts, placed USAID personnel on administrative leave, reduced the force of employees and contractors, closed the headquarters and took down the website, violating the U.S. Constitution’s appointments clause because Elon Musk acted as DOGE administrator without being properly appointed.
They also claimed dismantling USAID infringed on Congress’ responsibilities, according to court documents.
‘FIRED ME ILLEGALLY’: EMOTIONAL EX-USAID EMPLOYEES LEAVE BUILDING WITH BELONGINGS AFTER MASS LAYOFFS
The Trump administration fought the claims, alleging Musk acts as a senior advisor to the president, and actions at USAID were carried out by Secretary of State Marco Rubio as USAID’s acting administrator, who then designated Peter Marocco as deputy administrator.
USAID subsequently, and in accordance with President Donald Trump's executive order, established an internal DOGE team led by Lewin, according to court documents.
Former employees of USAID leave the headquarters building in Washington, D.C. (Leigh Green for Fox News Digital)
The Trump administration appealed the district court’s preliminary injunction and the denial of its motion for clarification or modification. It also filed an emergency motion to stay the injunction pending the appeal.
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U.S. Court of Appeals Circuit judges Arthur Marvin Quattlebaum Jr. and Judge Paul V. Niemeyer found Friday that Musk and DOGE "made a strong showing that they are likely to succeed on the merits of the appeal, that they will be irreparably injured absent the stay," according to court documents.
Further, Quattlebaum and Niemeyer found the stay "favors the public interest."
The ruling marked the third temporary win Friday for the Trump administration at the federal appeals court level.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/appeals-court-rules-doge-continue-operating-usaid-another-win-trump-administration