February 12, 2025 – In a significant legal development, a U.S. District Judge temporarily halted a plan by the Trump administration that sought to place approximately 2,700 employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on leave. The decision provides a temporary reprieve for workers who had been targeted as part of efforts to dismantle the agency.
Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, issued the ruling on Friday, partially granting a request from the largest U.S. government workers’ union and an association of foreign service workers. These unions had filed a lawsuit to block the administration’s attempt to close USAID. The order, effective until February 14, 2025, prevents the administration from implementing its plans to place roughly 2,200 USAID workers on paid leave starting Saturday and reinstates 500 employees who had already been furloughed.
The ruling also blocks the relocation of USAID humanitarian workers stationed abroad, adding a significant layer of protection to the agency’s operations. This legal victory for the unions comes at a critical time, as the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the size and scope of USAID have been met with widespread criticism, particularly due to concerns about the potential negative impact on global humanitarian programs.
Judge Nichols stated that the unions had made a “strong showing of irreparable harm” that could result if the court did not intervene, underlining the importance of the workers in maintaining USAID’s operations. The judge will hear further arguments regarding the request for a longer-term pause at a scheduled hearing on Wednesday.
However, Nichols rejected other aspects of the unions’ request, including efforts to reopen USAID offices and restore funding for the agency’s grants and contracts. The ruling is seen as a narrow win for the unions, who are pushing for a broader reversal of the administration’s actions.
The Trump administration had previously outlined plans to keep just 611 essential workers at USAID, which employs over 10,000 people globally. A Justice Department official, Brett Shumate, indicated that the workforce reduction would be implemented, with some 500 workers already furloughed. Shumate defended the administration’s position, stating that the president had made the decision based on alleged corruption and fraud at USAID, though no evidence of such wrongdoing has been presented.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump reiterated his claims of corruption at USAID, accusing the agency of fraudulent spending and suggesting it should be shut down. “The corruption at USAID IS AT LEVELS RARELY SEEN BEFORE. CLOSE IT DOWN!” Trump stated. His comments reflect the ongoing tension between his administration’s “America First” policy and the agency’s role in global humanitarian aid.
USAID, which plays a pivotal role in delivering foreign aid, particularly for health, education, and disaster relief, has been severely impacted by these actions. The halt in USAID’s operations, which came in the wake of a January executive order to freeze foreign aid, has caused significant disruption. Experts have warned that the suspension of humanitarian programs could have dire consequences, potentially jeopardizing the lives of vulnerable populations around the world.
In the 2023 fiscal year alone, the U.S. distributed $72 billion in foreign aid, with USAID facilitating much of this, including critical services like women’s health programs, HIV/AIDS treatment, and clean water access. Despite making up less than 1% of the U.S. federal budget, USAID’s contribution accounts for 42% of global humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations in 2024.
As the legal battle continues, the future of USAID and its role in global development remain uncertain, with ongoing debates about the effectiveness and necessity of the agency in fulfilling America’s international aid commitments.