WASHINGTON: In a significant ruling late Friday, a federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s plan to place 2,200 employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on administrative leave. The ruling also reinstates 500 USAID employees who had already been put on leave and halts the immediate return of overseas USAID personnel to the U.S.
The order was issued by Judge Carl Nichols of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump in 2019. The decision will remain in effect until Feb. 14, when the temporary restraining order expires. A hearing on the case is scheduled for Feb. 12.
Key Points of the Temporary Restraining Order
- Immediate Reinstatement:
All USAID employees placed on administrative leave must be reinstated and granted full access to email, payment, and security systems. - No New Leave Orders:
No additional employees can be placed on leave until Feb. 14. - Pause on Evacuations:
USAID personnel stationed abroad are not required to return to the U.S. immediately, as initially ordered by the White House.
Reason for the Ruling
Judge Nichols sided with the unions representing the USAID employees — the American Foreign Service Association and the American Federation of Government Employees. The unions argued that without the pause, they would suffer “irreparable harm,” while the government could not demonstrate any immediate harm from delaying the plan.
Nichols stated:
“Frankly, there is zero harm to the government in a short-term pause.”
Impact of the Government’s Actions
Lawyers for the plaintiffs described the government’s actions as “carnage” for USAID employees, their families, and the organization itself.
- Family Separation and Disruptions:
- Families have been uprooted, with children pulled out of schools globally.
- Employees have been cut off from access to health care.
- Many workers are being forced to return to the U.S. without housing or a source of income.
“This is the full-scale gutting of virtually all of the personnel at an agency,” a lawyer representing the USAID employees said.
Government’s Defense and Judge’s Response
During the court hearing, Nichols pressed government lawyers to explain why Secretary of State Marco Rubio, acting as head of USAID, needed to place the employees on leave immediately.
A government attorney responded, “I don’t believe Secretary Rubio needs to provide a reason.”
However, Judge Nichols questioned the legal justification, especially given that USAID is a separate agency from the State Department. He also asked the government to provide evidence of the fraud and corruption allegations that President Trump and his allies have cited. The government had no response to this inquiry.
Concerns Over Reduced USAID Workforce
The government admitted that without court intervention, 2,200 USAID employees were set to be placed on leave by midnight, in addition to the 500 already on leave. Only 611 essential personnel would remain operational.
Plaintiffs argued that such a major reduction in force would violate congressional appropriations and hinder USAID’s ability to carry out its mission.
Significance of the Ruling
The restraining order offers temporary relief to USAID personnel, many of whom faced immediate disruptions to their lives and livelihoods. However, the upcoming Feb. 12 hearing will be crucial in determining whether the order will be extended or overturned.
In the meantime, USAID workers will be able to return to their jobs and access essential resources. This ruling highlights ongoing legal battles over the control of federal agencies and the separation of powers between the executive branch and independent federal agencies.
What’s Next?
- Feb. 12 Hearing:
Both sides will present their arguments before the court to decide the future of the temporary restraining order. - Feb. 14 Deadline:
The current restraining order will expire unless extended by the court.
The outcome of the case will have significant implications for USAID operations, the rights of federal employees, and the scope of executive power over independent agencies.
