Arcadiadaily – Judge Blocks Trump’s attempt to place thousands of USAID employees on leave, issuing a temporary restraining order just hours before the move was set to take effect. The decision, handed down by Judge Carl Nichols, comes in response to a last-minute lawsuit filed by unions fighting to protect the agency’s workers. This ruling halts the furlough of 2,200 USAID employees, a key part of Trump’s broader plan to drastically reduce the agency’s workforce.
Judge Blocks Trump’s plan to place 2,200 USAID workers on paid leave, at least for now. The ruling, which remains in effect until February 14 at midnight. Temporarily reinstates those already placed on administrative leave and prevents additional furloughs. The legal challenge was brought by two unions, arguing that the Trump administration was violating the U.S. Constitution and inflicting unnecessary harm on workers.
In his decision, Judge Nichols sided with the unions. Stating that USAID employees would suffer “irreparable harm” if the furloughs proceeded. He further noted that there would be “zero harm to the government” in allowing the employees to continue their work while the case is reviewed. The judge also ordered that all affected employees be reinstated with full access to their email, payroll, and security systems until a final decision is reached.
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Trump has long criticized USAID as an unnecessary burden on taxpayers and has sought to reduce its operations. His plan involved placing nearly all of the agency’s 10,000 employees on leave, sparing only 611 workers. Before the judge’s intervention, 500 staff had already been placed on administrative leave. With another 2,200 set to join them by Friday midnight.
This move aligns with Trump’s broader effort to reshape the federal government by reducing funding for international aid programs. However, critics argue that weakening USAID could damage global humanitarian efforts and reduce American influence abroad.
While Judge Blocks Trump’s furlough plan for now, the future of USAID’s workforce remains uncertain. The court is set to hold another hearing on Wednesday to determine whether the order should be extended or lifted. If the restraining order is not extended. The Trump administration could move forward with its plan to furlough thousands of employees.
Meanwhile, as the legal fight unfolds, USAID headquarters in Washington, D.C. Has already begun removing and covering agency signs, signaling an uncertain future for its employees. With thousands of jobs hanging in the balance. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether Trump’s effort to restructure the agency will succeed or be permanently blocked by the courts.
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