US court allows DOGE USAID cuts in landmark ruling

A US federal appeals court ruled on Friday that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) can proceed with further USAID cuts, marking a significant legal victory. Tech billionaire appointed by President Donald Trump to streamline government operations.

The 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Virginia decided 2-1 that DOGE’s cost-cutting measures do not violate the Constitution, reversing an earlier ruling by a Maryland district judge.

Previously, US District Judge Theodore Chuang had blocked DOGE’s efforts, stating that Musk, as a non-elected official, overstepped his authority in attempting to dismantle USAID. However, the appeals court disagreed, allowing the DOGE USAID cuts to move forward.

This decision could reshape federal agency budget reforms. Updates to follow as the case develops.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk announced Thursday that his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is on track to cut $1 trillion in federal spending before his 130-day tenure concludes in late May. Appointed by President Donald Trump to streamline government operations, Musk revealed the ambitious cost-cutting goal during an interview on Fox News’ Special Report with Bret Baier.

Musk, serving as a special government employee, expressed confidence that DOGE could reduce federal expenditures from approximately 7 trillion to 7trillion to 6 trillion without impacting critical services. “The government is not efficient, and there is a lot of waste and fraud,” he said. “We feel confident that a 15% reduction can be done responsibly.”

DOGE claims its initiatives—including workforce reductions, asset sales, and contract terminations—have already saved taxpayers 115 billion as of March 24.However,budget analysts and watchdogs have raised concerns about the accuracy of these figures, noting that Musk’s115 billion as of March24. However, budget analysts and watchdogs have raised concerns about the accuracy of these figures, noting that Musk’s1 trillion target may be unattainable without touching entitlement programs like Social Security, which Trump has vowed to protect.