Judge Permits Trump Administration to Proceed with USAID Staff Reductions

A federal court has lifted a temporary block, allowing the administration to place thousands of USAID employees on leave and repatriate overseas staff within 30 days.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols ruled to allow the Trump administration to proceed with placing over 2,000 USAID employees on administrative leave, reversing a prior restraining order.
The administration plans to retain only 611 essential staff members out of over 10,000 employees, with overseas workers required to return to the U.S. within 30 days at government expense.
Unions representing USAID staff argued the move would cause irreparable harm, including disruptions to healthcare and safety for personnel stationed abroad, but the court deemed these claims overstated.
The Trump administration has justified the reductions as part of a broader effort to realign foreign aid with its policy goals and address alleged inefficiencies within USAID.
Legal challenges continue, with unions and advocacy groups seeking further relief, arguing the dismantling of USAID jeopardizes humanitarian missions and violates congressional intent.