Court Halts Trump Administration’s Plan to Furlough 2,200 USAID Employees “`
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on Friday, preventing the Trump administration from placing 2,200 USAID employees on paid leave.
Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, granted the injunction requested by two federal employee unions, halting the planned leave effective midnight Friday.
The unions contend that President Trump lacks the authority to unilaterally dismantle the six-decade-old agency, a move they argue violates existing congressional legislation.
“CLOSE IT DOWN,” Trump posted on social media regarding USAID on Friday.
Friday witnessed the agency’s name being obscured with duct tape at its Washington headquarters, its flag removed, and a floral tribute left outside.
USAID officials, speaking anonymously due to administration restrictions, contradicted Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s claims that essential programs had been exempted. With most staff furloughed and funding halted, one official described the agency as effectively defunct.
The Trump administration and its ally, [billionaire’s name], leading the Department of Government Efficiency’s budget cuts, have aggressively targeted USAID in an unprecedented attack on the federal government and its programs.
The administration initially planned to exempt 297 USAID employees from the broader leave impacting at least 8,000 staff and contractors, according to agency personnel.
This was later revised to 611 employees, many tasked with facilitating the repatriation of thousands of staff, contractors, and their families overseas, a figure confirmed by Justice Department lawyer Brett Shumate in court.
The USAID officials and staffers spoke anonymously due to a Trump administration order barring them from talking publicly.
A small number of remaining staffers and contractors, along with approximately 5,000 locally hired employees abroad, would manage the few life-saving programs the administration intends to maintain temporarily.
The duration of these staff reductions remains unclear, with the possibility of reinstatement pending a review of aid and development programs by the Trump administration.
Trump and [billionaire’s name] have discussed transferring surviving programs to the State Department.
State Department employees also anticipate significant staff cuts following the deadline for the administration’s early retirement incentive program, according to officials who spoke anonymously due to fear of reprisal. A judge temporarily blocked this incentive program, with a hearing scheduled for Monday.
Among the un-exempted USAID programs: $450 million in food aid for 36 million people, and water supplies for 1.6 million people in Darfur, both currently suspended due to funding cuts.
Earlier this week, nearly all overseas USAID personnel were given 30 days to return to the U.S., with the government covering travel and relocation expenses. Embassies requested extensions for certain individuals, including families needing to withdraw children from schools mid-year.
A late Thursday USAID website notice clarified that no overseas personnel on leave would be forcibly removed from their duty stations. However, those remaining beyond 30 days might bear their own expenses unless granted a hardship waiver.
Rubio stated that the government would assist staffers in returning home within 30 days and would consider individual circumstances.
He justified the actions as necessary to prevent staff from circumventing the foreign aid spending freeze, a claim denied by agency staff.
Rubio asserted that the U.S. will continue providing foreign aid aligned with national interests.
Democratic lawmakers and others deem the actions illegal without congressional approval.
This argument was central to the lawsuit filed by the American Foreign Service Association and the American Federation of Government Employees on Thursday. The suit seeks the court’s order to reinstate USAID operations, employee return, and funding restoration.
The suit alleges government officials failed to acknowledge the catastrophic impact of their actions on American workers, global populations, and U.S. national interests.
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