As the complaint explains, by imposing stop work orders, freezing funding, putting staff on leave or terminating them entirely, naming Secretary Rubio as Acting Director, and other actions, the Trump Administration has cost thousands of Americans their jobs and threatened U.S. national security interests. And it has led to humanitarian catastrophe: USAID provides life-saving food, medicine, and support to hundreds of thousands of people across the world.
“Dissolving USAID is illegal and unconstitutional. The Administration’s actions will cost lives and threaten the livelihood–and in some cases the physical safety–of thousands of American workers who have dedicated their lives to public service,” said Public Citizen Litigation Group attorney Lauren Bateman. “Without USAID, U.S.-led medical clinics, soup kitchens, refugee assistance programs, and countless other projects cannot operate. Meanwhile, thousands of Americans who support and lead these important initiatives are out of work. This disruption of aid is unfathomably cruel, unnecessary, and against the law.”
“The Trump administration’s attack on USAID is part of a coordinated campaign to undermine the will of Congress and isolate America in the world,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “This will make Americans at home and abroad less safe.”
“The men and women of USAID deserve a government that values and understands their contributions, not one that leaves them high and dry and unable to pursue their important work after a hostile takeover,” said Everett Kelley, AFGE National President. “We will stand up for our members and all USAID workers who deliver aid across the globe and contribute to a safer, healthier world for all Americans.”
“The dismantling of USAID including its Foreign Service members has thrown dedicated public servants—and their families—into chaos and uncertainty. These professionals have spent their careers advancing America’s interests abroad, only to find their livelihoods upended overnight,” said AFSA President Tom Yazdgerdi. “The consequences of this disruption go far beyond individual careers—it weakens U.S. leadership and undermines global stability worldwide. AFSA will continue to defend its members and pursue all options to protect this essential workforce.”
The full complaint is available here.
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Government employee unions have taken legal action against the Trump administration for the closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The closure of USAID, which provides foreign aid and development assistance to countries around the world, has sparked outrage among government employees and their unions.
The closure of USAID is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to cut government spending and reduce the size of the federal government. However, government employee unions argue that the closure of USAID will have a devastating impact on the agency’s employees and the countries that rely on its aid programs.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that the closure of USAID is a violation of federal labor laws and collective bargaining agreements. The unions argue that the closure of USAID will result in the loss of thousands of jobs and will harm the agency’s ability to provide critical aid to countries in need.
In a statement, AFGE President J. David Cox Sr. said, “The closure of USAID is a reckless and irresponsible decision that will have far-reaching consequences for both the agency’s employees and the countries that rely on its assistance. We will not stand idly by while the Trump administration dismantles vital government agencies and puts the livelihoods of hardworking federal employees at risk.”
NTEU President Tony Reardon echoed these sentiments, stating, “The closure of USAID is a direct attack on federal employees and the important work that they do. We will fight tirelessly to protect the rights and livelihoods of our members and to ensure that USAID can continue its critical mission of providing aid to those in need.”
The legal action taken by government employee unions is just one example of the growing opposition to the Trump administration’s efforts to downsize the federal government. As the fight over the closure of USAID continues, it remains to be seen how the courts will rule on this contentious issue.
