Judge Blocks Trump’s Attempt to Shut Down USADF \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from shutting down the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF), a small federal agency that funds investments in Africa. The ruling comes after USADF President Ward Brehm sued, arguing that Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and USAID officials had no legal authority to dismantle the agency, which was created by Congress. The case highlights broader efforts by Trump to reduce the federal government, including shutting down international aid programs.
Judge Halts Trump’s USADF Shutdown: Quick Looks
- Federal Court Blocks Closure – A judge ruled that Trump cannot immediately dismantle USADF.
- DOGE Officials Barred from Interfering – Judge blocks White House efforts to alter USADF leadership.
- USADF Resists Takeover – Agency staff denied DOGE access to cancel grants and contracts.
- Trump’s Government Shrinking Plan – White House targets multiple agencies, including USADF, USAID, and NED.
- Legal Challenges Pile Up – Other agencies sue over Trump’s federal downsizing efforts.
Deep Look
Judge Blocks Trump’s Attempt to Shut Down U.S. African Development Foundation
In a major legal setback for the Trump administration’s plan to shrink the federal government, U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon issued a temporary injunction Thursday, blocking the closure of the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF).
The ruling came just hours after USADF President Ward Brehm filed a lawsuit, arguing that neither Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) nor USAID officials had the legal authority to dismantle the agency, which was created by Congress.
“DOGE and Trump do not have the authority to shut down the agency,” Brehm’s lawsuit states.
Leon’s ruling bars Trump’s administration from removing Brehm or installing new board members while the case proceeds.
USADF Resists Trump’s Efforts to Take Over the Agency
Brehm alleged in his lawsuit that after Trump’s Feb. 19 executive order aimed at downsizing the federal government, DOGE officials tried to gain unauthorized access to USADF’s systems.
According to the complaint:
- DOGE staff attempted to access agency computers to cancel all grants and contracts.
- USADF staff physically barred DOGE officials from entering the agency.
- Deputy USAID Administrator Pete Marocco, who is leading government downsizing efforts, was also denied access to USADF.
“When USADF learned that DOGE was there to kill the agency, staff refused DOGE access,” the lawsuit states.
Trump Administration Defends Its Actions
The White House defended its attempt to take over USADF, calling Brehm’s resistance a violation of presidential authority.
“Entitled, rogue bureaucrats have no authority to defy executive orders by the President of the United States,” said White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly.
DOGE’s Role in Government Downsizing and Musk’s Involvement
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was created by Trump to eliminate waste, fraud, and inefficiency in the federal government.
- DOGE is led by billionaire Elon Musk, whose companies hold major government contracts.
- The agency’s role is to audit and reduce federal programs, including foreign aid initiatives.
Brehm’s lawsuit also reveals that DOGE and Marocco recently targeted another federal agency, the Inter-American Foundation (IAF), which funds economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- On Tuesday, DOGE announced that all but one IAF employee had been terminated.
- Grants for alpaca farming in Peru, vegetable gardens in El Salvador, and beekeeping in Brazil were canceled.
Other Agencies Facing Elimination Under Trump
USADF and IAF are not the only agencies on Trump’s chopping block.
Trump’s administration has also moved to dismantle:
- The U.S. Institute of Peace – A Washington-based think tank focused on conflict resolution.
- The Presidio Trust – Manages historic national park lands in San Francisco.
- The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) – A nonprofit that combats authoritarianism worldwide, which recently sued Trump for blocking its funding.
The NED lawsuit, filed Tuesday, argues that Trump’s administration unlawfully froze funding for its global pro-democracy programs.
“This has never occurred before in the Endowment’s forty-two-year existence,” the NED lawsuit states.
NED issued $238 million in grants in 2023, including support for the International Republican Institute, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio once served as a board member.
Trump’s Rationale for Cutting Federal Agencies
Trump’s executive order aims to reduce the size of government, with a particular focus on foreign aid agencies that he views as inefficient.
The administration argues that:
- Federal agencies have grown too large and need to be restructured or eliminated.
- USAID and development foundations waste taxpayer money on ineffective programs.
- Government debt reduction requires cutting non-essential programs, including international aid.
However, critics argue that Trump’s approach is politically motivated and risks weakening U.S. global influence by cutting development programs that counter China and Russia’s influence abroad.
What Happens Next?
- USADF Court Case Continues – The Trump administration is expected to appeal the judge’s order in an attempt to regain control of USADF.
- Other Agencies May Join Lawsuits – The Inter-American Foundation, U.S. Institute of Peace, and Presidio Trust could file their own legal challenges.
- Congress May Intervene – Lawmakers could block funding cuts or override Trump’s executive order with new legislation.
- NED Lawsuit Expands – The National Endowment for Democracy case could set a legal precedent for other agencies targeted for shutdown.
Conclusion
Judge Richard J. Leon’s ruling marks a significant setback for Trump’s federal downsizing efforts.
By blocking the immediate closure of USADF, the ruling signals potential legal battles ahead as Trump seeks to reduce government spending and foreign aid programs.
With multiple agencies fighting to survive, the future of U.S. international development funding remains uncertain, as legal, political, and economic forces collide in Trump’s effort to reshape the federal government.
Judge Blocks Trump’s Attempt
