A federal judge has temporarily stopped the Trump administration from putting thousands of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) workers on leave. The judge also blocked an order requiring USAID employees working abroad to return to the U.S. within 30 days.
Judge Carl Nichols, who was appointed by Trump, ruled in favor of two employee groups who argued that these orders put aid workers in danger and caused unnecessary hardship. However, he did not block Trump’s decision to freeze USAID’s funding, which has already halted most of the agency’s work.
Before the ruling, Trump posted on social media, calling for USAID to be shut down. His administration acted quickly, removing the agency’s name from its Washington headquarters and taking down its flags.
The administration, along with Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency, has aggressively targeted USAID. They have cut almost all funding, put many employees on leave, and even removed the agency’s computer servers. Democrats claim this is an attempt to dismantle the agency entirely.
Karla Gilbride, a lawyer representing the employee associations, told the court that the administration was trying to eliminate almost all USAID staff. Meanwhile, Justice Department attorney Brett Shumate argued that the government has the authority to place employees on leave whenever necessary.
This ruling is one of several legal setbacks for Trump’s policies. Judges have also paused his efforts to encourage federal workers to resign and his attempt to end birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants.
Earlier on Friday, a group of USAID officials denied claims made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that critical aid programs were still receiving funding. They said that no waivers had been granted to continue providing food and water to millions in need. Programs affected include:
- $450 million worth of U.S.-grown food that could feed 36 million people.
- Water supplies for 1.6 million displaced people in Sudan’s Darfur region.
The judge’s ruling protects 2,200 USAID workers from being put on leave, but many others remain uncertain about their jobs.
Trump and Republican lawmakers have suggested moving some aid programs under the State Department, which itself may see major staff cuts. A separate ruling temporarily blocked Trump’s offer of financial incentives for federal workers to resign, with a hearing set for Monday.
The administration had given USAID staff abroad 30 days to return to the U.S., covering their moving costs. However, a notice posted on the agency’s website clarified that workers could stay if they covered their own expenses or received a hardship waiver.
Rubio defended the move, saying it was necessary to prevent employees from making unauthorized payments. However, USAID staffers have denied any wrongdoing. He also stated that foreign aid would continue but in a way that aligns with U.S. national interests.
