WASHINGTON – Foreign aid worker organizations are suing the Trump administration in an effort to prevent the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development, describing the agency’s changes as an “unlawful takeover.”
“This is a geniune moral emergency,” said Lauren Batemen, an attorney from the Public Citizen Litigation Group, which is assisting in representing the American Federation of Government Employees and the American Foreign Service Association.
The lawsuit, filed on Thursday in federal court in Washington, D.C., claims that the administration’s suspension of work, funding cuts, and staff layoffs are leading to the loss of thousands of jobs, endangering U.S. national security, and creating a humanitarian crisis.
President Donald Trump has criticized the agency for alleged corruption, accusing it of wasting taxpayer money on what the White House calls “ridiculous” project
Around 10,000 USAID employees were told they’d be placed on administrative leave by Friday, with fewer than 300 staying for critical roles. Bringing employees back from overseas could cost over $20 million. Randy Chester from the American Foreign Service Association criticized the disruption to families and taxpayers. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration wanted a smoother process but faced resistance. A lawsuit claims only Congress can dismantle USAID, but legal experts argue the President can reorganize it. The administration has taken steps to notify Congress, but it could still cause policy issues.
