A federal judge has intervened to prevent President Trump from placing over 2,200 workers at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on administrative leave. This comes in response to a lawsuit filed by labor unions representing USAID employees, which argued that the president's actions lacked congressional authorization and violated the Constitution. The proposed layoffs were part of Trump's broader strategy to reduce government spending amid criticisms of USAID's overseas operations and spending practices.
**Federal Court Halts Trump's Layoff Plan for USAID Employees**
**Federal Court Halts Trump's Layoff Plan for USAID Employees**
A temporary restraining order blocks large-scale administrative leave for USAID workers amid budget cut plans.
The judge's order was issued just before the midnight deadline set for the layoffs. According to Judge Carl Nichols, who was appointed by Trump, the restraining order serves to temporarily block the plan while further legal evaluations are conducted. The lawsuit was filed by the American Foreign Service Association and the American Federation of Government Employees, arguing that dismantling USAID should be a congressional prerogative, not the executive branch's.
USAID, with approximately 10,000 employees, plays a crucial role in providing humanitarian aid globally. Under the proposed plan, only 611 workers would have remained active, while the majority faced potential leave. The criticism of USAID's spending by Trump, echoed during his campaign and bolstered by his "America First" policy, is not new. Critics argue cutting back on USAID's operations sends a damaging message about U.S. commitment to global humanitarian efforts.
On the day of the judge's decision, USAID workers noticed the removal of agency signage at their Washington D.C. headquarters, which has been shut down during the ongoing budget disputes. Many expressed concern about the implications of Trump's budget cuts for the future of international aid. The United States is currently the largest contributor to global humanitarian efforts, spending approximately $40 billion of its total $68 billion international aid budget through USAID in 2023.
Former agency leaders have spoken out against the proposals, warning that they could severely affect the U.S.'s reliability as a partner in humanitarian crises.
USAID, with approximately 10,000 employees, plays a crucial role in providing humanitarian aid globally. Under the proposed plan, only 611 workers would have remained active, while the majority faced potential leave. The criticism of USAID's spending by Trump, echoed during his campaign and bolstered by his "America First" policy, is not new. Critics argue cutting back on USAID's operations sends a damaging message about U.S. commitment to global humanitarian efforts.
On the day of the judge's decision, USAID workers noticed the removal of agency signage at their Washington D.C. headquarters, which has been shut down during the ongoing budget disputes. Many expressed concern about the implications of Trump's budget cuts for the future of international aid. The United States is currently the largest contributor to global humanitarian efforts, spending approximately $40 billion of its total $68 billion international aid budget through USAID in 2023.
Former agency leaders have spoken out against the proposals, warning that they could severely affect the U.S.'s reliability as a partner in humanitarian crises.
