Lawsuit filed against Trump administration in the US

It has been alleged that the administration of US President Donald Trump will reduce the number of USAID personnel from over 10,000 to approximately 300.

Following the allegations reported in the US press, unions representing federal employees have taken the Trump administration to court over USAID.

The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) submitted the lawsuit petition to the federal court in the capital, Washington D.C.

In the lawsuit filed against Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, USAID, the Department of State, and the Department of the Treasury, the petition requests an injunction to "immediately cease attempts to halt USAID's operations," stating that the suspension of USAID's operations has caused a global crisis and that thousands of Americans have lost their jobs.

The petition demands the appointment of an interim administrator for USAID, the reopening of its buildings, the restoration of access to its websites, and an end to placing employees on administrative leave, arguing that the authority to dissolve USAID belongs solely to Congress.

According to a report by The New York Times, citing individuals close to the matter who wished to remain anonymous, the Trump administration will reduce the number of USAID employees from over 10,000 to approximately 300.

It is stated that the remaining active personnel will consist of experts in the fields of health and humanitarian aid.

DISCUSSIONS REGARDING USAID

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order regarding foreign aid on January 21, immediately after assuming the presidency.

The executive order noted that the US would cut payments made to foreign countries by all ministries and agencies responsible for foreign development aid programs, and that a 90-day review period had been initiated to evaluate the program's alignment with US foreign policy.

The US Department of State also announced on January 27 that all foreign aid funded by the department and USAID had been suspended.

Elon Musk, who heads DOGE, also announced that employees had been "placed on administrative leave" due to issues he experienced with USAID administrators, and the agency's social media accounts were shut down.

Later, President Trump and Musk made statements to the effect that USAID should be closed.

Reacting to payments reportedly made to the Associated Press (AP) news agency and The New York Times (NYT) newspaper, Musk commented on the payment to AP as "a waste of taxpayer money," while using the phrase "The NYT is a government-funded newspaper" for the payment made to the NYT.

News Source: AA