The 4th Circuit of Appeals Halts Obama Judge’s Order Curtailing DOGE’s Efforts to Dismantle USAID

The 4th Circuit of Appeals has temporarily halted an Obama-appointed judge’s order curtailing the Department of Government Efficiency’s ability to oversee the dismantling of USAID.

Last Tuesday, Judge Theodore Chuang of U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, ruled that DOGE Chief Elon Musk likely violated the Constitution “in multiple ways” and “robbed Congress of its authority to oversee the dissolution” of USAID, even though the agency was created through an executive order signed by the late President John F. Kennedy in 1961.

Musk and DOGE “shall not take any action, or engage in any work, relating to the shutdown of USAID,” Chuang wrote in an injunction against the billionaire’s effort to cut waste, fraud, and abuse from the federal government.

Chuang also ordered Musk and DOGE personnel to restore access to official computer systems for USAID employees, including those on administrative leave. The judge said Musk and DOGE can have no involvement in further staff reductions or contract cancellations.

In an order filed on March 25, the 4th Circuit ruled that that “the district court’s preliminary injunction dated March 18, 2025, as clarified by its order dated March 20, 2025, be stayed and hereby is stayed until the close of business of Thursday, March 27, 2025.”

Chuang was overruled by the Supreme Court during Trump’s first term when he tried to suspend the administration’s “in person” requirement for women to obtain the abortion pill.

An expanded ruling is expected later this week.