The Trump administration has won some victories in its battle against the Democrats’ lawfare campaign.
U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang on March 18 ruled that the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) had likely violated the Constitution when it shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This came as the result of a lawsuit filed by more than two dozen current and former USAID employees and contractors challenging the Trump administration’s move.
Chuang issued a preliminary injunction against DOGE and ordered the agency to restore employees’ access to email, payment, and other electronic systems. He further barred the agency from taking further action against employees while the matter was being litigated.
The Trump administration filed an emergency motion for a stay pending appeal. The motion sought to stop the judge’s preliminary injunction, arguing that it restricts the Executive Branch’s ability to manage USAID.
The White House characterized Chuang’s ruling as an overreach that would disrupt USAID operations by preventing Jeremy Lewin, USAID’s Chief Operating Officer, from carrying out his duties.
The administration contended that the injunction should be paused to allow Lewin to perform his duties. It argued that the court’s inclusion of Lewin in the injunction because of his previous role as a DOGE Team Lead lacks legal basis and causes irreparable harm by freezing the agency’s functions.
The White House further insisted that Elon Musk, the head of the DOGE initiative, is not an “Officer” under the Appointments Clause, which means he does not have to be approved by the Senate confirmation process. The administration pointed out that Musk does not possess the formal authority to make binding decisions; he only serves in an advisory capacity to President Trump.