Judge Temporarily Halts Trump's Plan to Slash USAID Workforce

A federal judge has imposed a temporary restraining order preventing President Trump's contentious plan to place 2,200 USAID employees on administrative leave, stirring significant debate over U.S. foreign aid and policy.

A federal court has issued a temporary restraining order halting President Donald Trump's controversial plan to drastically reduce the workforce of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The judge's order intervenes just hours before the administration's intention to place 2,200 employees on administrative leave, an action scheduled to take effect by midnight Friday. USAID, which employs around 10,000 personnel, has been the focus of intense scrutiny from Trump, who has long criticized overseas spending and labeled it as a misuse of taxpayer resources.

The urgent petition to stop the leave plan was filed by representatives of the employees' unions, specifically the American Foreign Service Association and the American Federation of Government Employees. The lawsuit argued that Trump’s actions violated the U.S. Constitution and federal law, asserting that Congress, not the president, holds the authority to dismantle such agencies. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, who was nominated by Trump, indicated a detailed written ruling would follow.

Under the proposed restructuring, only 611 employees were set to remain active, as the Trump administration works to employ deep cuts across federal agencies. This strategy aligns with Trump’s broader "America First" agenda, which he has championed since taking office. As part of this plan, separatist measures within USAID have led to chaotic scenes at the agency’s Washington D.C. headquarters, where officials removed prominent USAID signs.

Trump's administration initially halted foreign assistance shortly after the president's inauguration in January 2017, causing global aid programs to freeze. According to recent public statements by the president on social media, he has described USAID as fundamentally flawed and corrupt, questioning the agency's role in international assistance.

Former USAID administrators have decried the threats against the agency, arguing that America's global leadership in humanitarian aid is vital, citing the U.S.'s $68 billion spending on international aid in 2023, with USAID accounting for a significant portion of that budget. Observers warn that dismantling such essential programs could drastically alter America's role on the global stage, underlining a worrisome shift in priorities regarding humanitarian support.