Summary

The Trump administration abruptly halted USAID’s foreign aid funding and restructured the agency, provoking alarm among experienced staff and legal experts.

Political appointees, assisted by Elon Musk’s engineers, seized control of IT systems, imposed swift stop-work orders, and placed thousands of workers on leave.

Experts warned these actions likely violated multiple federal laws, including the Privacy Act and the Impoundment Control Act, raising serious constitutional concerns.

Federal worker groups have filed lawsuits and a judge’s injunction halted layoffs, while congressional inquiries and legal challenges look to restore due process.