A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order on President Donald Trump's controversial initiative to put thousands of USAID employees on leave, halting the plan that aimed to downsize the agency significantly.
Judge Halts Trump's Plan to Enact USAID Layoffs
Judge Halts Trump's Plan to Enact USAID Layoffs
A federal court intervenes to prevent a significant reduction in USAID staff, amid Trump’s budget cuts.
In a recent ruling, US District Judge Carl Nichols in Washington, D.C., blocked the proposal that would have affected approximately 2,200 USAID employees, reverting them to administrative leave by a deadline on Friday. USAID, the primary US agency for international development, employs about 10,000 individuals, two-thirds of whom work overseas. The legal action was spearheaded by unions representing agency employees who argued that the President's plan was unconstitutional and lacked congressional endorsement.
The dispute arose as part of Trump’s broader strategy to cut federal spending — a move he has advocated since his campaign. He formed an advisory group led by billionaire Elon Musk called the Department of Government Efficiency, designed to execute budget reductions across various federal agencies.
In a hearing, it was noted that Trump's administration had already informed 611 USAID employees that their positions were deemed essential, which further complicates the situation. A Justice Department lawyer mentioned that the President had concerns of corruption within USAID, igniting further controversy over the agency’s operational integrity.
USAID has faced scrutiny and upheaval since Trump took office, with an executive order enacted shortly after his inauguration that halted foreign aid until a vetting process could be established under his "America First" directive. This resulted in severe interruptions to numerous global aid initiatives. Trump's critical stance on USAID includes accusations of it being wasteful and ineffective, echoes of which have been voiced through social media where he expressed intentions to "close it down."
With a budget amounting to around $40 billion annually, USAID is a significant contributor to global humanitarian efforts, accounting for the largest share of international aid from the US government. Former agency heads warn that dismantling these operations will convey dangerous signals to global partners during humanitarian crises and may diminish the US’s reputation as a dependable ally.
The dispute arose as part of Trump’s broader strategy to cut federal spending — a move he has advocated since his campaign. He formed an advisory group led by billionaire Elon Musk called the Department of Government Efficiency, designed to execute budget reductions across various federal agencies.
In a hearing, it was noted that Trump's administration had already informed 611 USAID employees that their positions were deemed essential, which further complicates the situation. A Justice Department lawyer mentioned that the President had concerns of corruption within USAID, igniting further controversy over the agency’s operational integrity.
USAID has faced scrutiny and upheaval since Trump took office, with an executive order enacted shortly after his inauguration that halted foreign aid until a vetting process could be established under his "America First" directive. This resulted in severe interruptions to numerous global aid initiatives. Trump's critical stance on USAID includes accusations of it being wasteful and ineffective, echoes of which have been voiced through social media where he expressed intentions to "close it down."
With a budget amounting to around $40 billion annually, USAID is a significant contributor to global humanitarian efforts, accounting for the largest share of international aid from the US government. Former agency heads warn that dismantling these operations will convey dangerous signals to global partners during humanitarian crises and may diminish the US’s reputation as a dependable ally.
