3:28 pm - February 12, 2025
A Lawsuit Against Trump: Labor Groups Fight to Save USAID
Labor Groups Sue Trump Over USAID Dismantling
A pair of labor groups representing employees at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, accusing him of exceeding his authority in his efforts to dismantle the agency. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., by Democracy Forward and the Public Citizen Litigation Group on behalf of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), argues that Trump’s actions are illegal and violate the Constitution. The case comes as USAID, a decades-old humanitarian agency, faces an unprecedented workforce reduction, with fewer than 300 employees expected to be retained while thousands are placed on indefinite leave or fired. Contractors, who make up a significant portion of the agency’s workforce, are being terminated en masse.
The Humanitarian and Economic Impact of USAID’s Dismantling
The lawsuit highlights the devastating consequences of Trump’s actions, which have brought critical humanitarian work around the world to a halt. A freeze on nearly all foreign assistance has disrupted life-saving programs, including efforts to combat malaria, HIV, and maternal mortality. Attorneys for the labor groups claim that the abrupt shutdown of USAID’s operations has already led to irreversible harm: 300 babies who could have been protected from HIV now carry the virus, and thousands of girls and women are at risk of dying from pregnancy and childbirth complications. Moreover, the mass layoffs and furloughs of USAID contractors and grantees have cost thousands of American jobs and imperiled U.S. national security interests. The global humanitarian crisis caused by these actions is not only a tragedy but also a blow to U.S. leadership and global stability.
Legal Arguments: Trump’s Unlawful Power Grab
The lawsuit alleges that Trump’s actions to dismantle USAID are unconstitutional and exceed presidential authority. It argues that only Congress has the legal authority to dismantle the agency, as per federal statute. The suit specifically targets Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, as well as their respective agencies, claiming that their actions violate the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution. Attorneys for the labor groups are asking the court to order the administration to reverse its actions and halt any further steps to dissolve USAID while the litigation continues. The lawsuit emphasizes that Trump’s moves to dismantle the agency were made without congressional authorization, a clear overreach of executive power.
The Urgent Need for Judicial Intervention
As the lawsuit progresses, the clock is ticking for USAID employees. The agency has announced that all direct-hire personnel, except for a small number of essential workers, will be placed on administrative leave by Friday night. With fewer than 300 employees expected to remain, the workforce reduction is nothing short of catastrophic. The labor groups are urging the court to act on an emergency basis to prevent further damage before the deadline. The lawsuit seeks to protect not only the livelihoods of USAID employees but also the critical work they perform around the world. Without judicial intervention, the consequences of Trump’s actions will only worsen, exacerbating the global humanitarian crisis and undermining U.S. interests abroad.
The Broader Implications of Trump’s Actions
The dismantling of USAID is part of a broader pattern of behavior by the Trump administration to isolate the United States on the global stage and undermine Congress’s role in shaping foreign policy. The agency, which has long been a symbol of American leadership and compassion, is being hollowed out at a time when its work is needed most. The lawsuit argues that Trump’s actions are not only unlawful but also reckless, with far-reaching consequences for global health, security, and stability. The mass layoffs and program closures have thrown dedicated public servants into chaos, upending their careers and the lives of their families. AFSA President Tom Yazdgerdi called the situation a “betrayal” of the men and women who have spent their careers advancing American interests abroad.
The Fight to Preserve USAID and U.S. Leadership
The lawsuit marks the first major legal challenge to Trump’s efforts to dismantle USAID, but it is unlikely to be the last. Advocacy groups and lawmakers have joined the labor unions in condemning the administration’s actions, arguing that they are both unconstitutional and shortsighted. The case highlights the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and Congress over the scope of executive authority, particularly in matters of foreign policy and international aid. As the court considers the lawsuit, the stakes could not be higher. The fate of USAID—and the millions of people around the world who depend on its work—hangs in the balance. The labor groups are determined to fight for the agency’s survival, not just to protect their members but to preserve U.S. leadership and the values of compassion and global responsibility that USAID represents.