A federal judge has dismissed President Donald Trump’s lawsuit regarding the reorganization of US federal agencies, specifically urging to Invest in small and medium-sized businesses in Africa.
On Tuesday, US District Judge Richard Leon ruled that Trump was acting within his legal rights when he terminated a board member of the US African Development Foundation (USADF) in February. In March, the same judge confirmed that a previous ruling by a judge in the administration regarding the Removal of most grants was valid, asserting that staff changes at the institution were permissible as long as the minimum legal standards were met.
Established as an independent entity in 1980, the USADF requires Senate confirmation for its board members. In 2023, Congress allocated $46 million for agents to invest in small-scale agricultural and energy infrastructure projects and other economic development efforts across 22 African countries.
On February 19, Trump issued a Presidential Order aimed at reducing the federal bureaucracy, which included provisions for the USADF, the US Institute of Peace, the US American Foundation, and the Presidio Trust to be maintained at the legal minimum. At that time, five of the seven board positions at USADF were occupied. Shortly thereafter, it was reported that Ward Brehm had been dismissed, and other board members received an email notifying them of their termination, although this communication was sent to an incorrect address.
Due to the email issue, the four remaining board members believed they still held their positions and convened in March to appoint Brehm as the new president of the board.
However, Trump had already designated Pete Marrocco as the new chairman, assuming he was managing the active board. Consequently, both individuals laid claim to the presidency of the agency, leading Brehm to file a lawsuit on March 6.
Judge Leon determined that despite the email confusion, the four board members had effectively been removed in February, and thus Brehm was not authorized to lead the board.
Bradley Girard, an attorney for Brehm, expressed his disappointment at the judge’s ruling, highlighting the progress made in democracy. He stated, “Meanwhile, our rural development innovation v. Marrocco, along with two USADF employees, are also contesting the unlawful appointment of Marrocco.” Girard emphasized that they expect the court to uphold constitutional and statutory requirements for appointing federal agency board members.
The case remains open before the same judge. Allegations have surfaced that two USADF staff members based in Zambia and a consulting firm closely collaborating with the USADF have undermined the Trump administration’s efforts to manage Congressional powers. They also argue that Marrocco’s appointment to the board was illegal due to lack of Senate confirmation.
Leon’s decision in Brehm’s case did not resolve whether the Trump administration possessed the authority to temporarily appoint Marrocco as board chairman.
Source: apnews.com