Judge Halts Trump’s Plan to Suspend 2,200 USAID Workers

• Judge blocks Trump’s attempt to place 2,200 USAID workers on leave.
• Unions argue the move violates the Constitution and causes harm to employees.
• Court to hold further hearings on the agency’s future next week.

A federal judge has temporarily halted President Donald Trump’s move to place 2,200 employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on paid leave, issuing the order just hours before it was set to take effect.

Judge Carl Nichols granted a “limited” temporary restraining order in response to an emergency lawsuit filed by two unions representing USAID employees. The ruling prevents any further staff suspensions until at least February 14, allowing affected employees full access to email, payments, and security systems.

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Trump has long criticized USAID as a waste of taxpayer money and has sought to dismantle the agency, planning to place nearly 10,000 employees on leave, except for 611 workers. Around 500 staff had already been sidelined before the latest order, with an additional 2,200 expected to join them at midnight on Friday.

The lawsuit argued that the mass suspensions were unconstitutional and would cause undue harm to the affected employees. Judge Nichols sided with the unions, ruling that they would suffer “irreparable harm” while the government faced “zero harm” from the delay.

The court will reassess the issue at a hearing on Wednesday, with potential implications for the future of USAID. Meanwhile, as the ruling came down, officials were seen removing or covering USAID signs at the agency’s Washington, D.C., headquarters.

USAID, the world’s largest aid donor, primarily funds global health programs, with two-thirds of its 10,000 employees based overseas. Trump’s administration has framed the agency as part of a broader effort to slash federal spending and increase government efficiency. The newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, has been tasked with evaluating government waste.

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The legal battle is expected to intensify, with unions arguing that the president lacks congressional authorization to dismantle USAID. During the hearing, Judge Nichols—appointed by Trump during his first term—declined to restore grants, reopen USAID buildings, or reinstate contracts but did block further suspensions for now.

The administration, however, remains steadfast in its position. Justice Department official Brett Shumate defended Trump’s actions in court, stating the president believes USAID is plagued by “corruption and fraud.”

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