A U.S. District Court judge in Maryland has reinforced an earlier ruling aimed at preventing the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The amended order explicitly includes the newly appointed head of USAID, ensuring that the agency's leadership is bound by the court's decision. This development arises as Justice Department lawyers continue to challenge the initial ruling through an appeal.
The judge's move underscores a growing trend of federal judges intervening to prevent the administration from potentially bypassing or ignoring court orders. The original lawsuit argued that the planned restructuring of USAID would significantly weaken the agency's ability to carry out its mission of providing aid and development assistance around the world. Critics of the proposed changes claim they would undermine the agency's independence and effectiveness. The Justice Department, representing the administration, maintains that the restructuring is within the executive branch's authority. The legal battle is expected to continue, with potentially significant implications for the future of USAID and the balance of power between the executive and judicial branches.
Judge Blocks USAID Dismantling, Includes New Agency Head in Order
A federal judge in Maryland has issued a new order preventing the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The order specifically includes the new USAID head, ensuring compliance. This comes as Justice Department lawyers appeal the original ruling. The judge's action is the latest instance of federal courts pushing back against the administration's efforts to circumvent court orders.