Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Effort to Dismantle USAID

A temporary ruling halts the planned furlough of 2,200 employees as legal challenges argue the move violates constitutional authority.

A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration’s plan to furlough 2,200 USAID employees, pending further legal review.
The administration had aimed to significantly reduce USAID operations, with plans to cut the workforce from 10,000 to fewer than 300 employees, a 97% reduction.
Two public service unions filed a lawsuit arguing that the dismantling of USAID requires congressional approval and called the move unconstitutional.
USAID, established in 1961, is a key agency for U.S. foreign aid and humanitarian efforts, employing two-thirds of its staff outside the U.S.
Critics, including former USAID head Samantha Power, warn that the agency’s closure would harm millions globally, reduce U.S. influence, and jeopardize national security.