Judge temporarily blocks Trump’s plan to put thousands of USAID staff on leave

The decision comes after an emergency lawsuit was filed by the American Foreign Service Association and the American Federation of Government Employees, two unions representing USAID staff. The unions argued that Trump’s plan to reduce the agency’s workforce violated the US Constitution and federal laws.

“Not a single one of the defendants’ actions to dismantle USAID were taken with congressional approval,” the lawsuit stated, adding that only Congress has the legal power to dismantle a federal agency.

Judge Nichols, who was appointed by Trump during his first term, said a written order explaining his decision would be issued later.

Trump’s criticism of USAID

Trump has long criticised USAID, arguing that foreign aid is a waste of taxpayer money. His administration had planned to keep only 611 “essential” employees while placing the rest on leave.

Brett Shumate, a Justice Department official, told the court that Trump believes there is “corruption and fraud at USAID.”

On Friday, signs at USAID’s headquarters in Washington, DC, were removed or covered with black tape. Some people left flowers and signs near the covered logos, including one that read “RIP USAID.”

Trump, posting on his social media platform Truth Social, wrote: “USAID IS DRIVING THE RADICAL LEFT CRAZY. THE CORRUPTION IS AT LEVELS RARELY SEEN BEFORE. CLOSE IT DOWN!”

Impact on global aid

USAID plays a key role in delivering humanitarian aid worldwide, operating in over 60 countries and supporting programmes in many more. After Trump took office on 20 January, he signed an executive order halting all foreign aid until it could be reviewed under his “America First” policy. This led to the suspension of many global aid programmes.

In 2023, the US spent around $68 billion (£55 billion) on international aid, with USAID managing over half of that—about $40 billion, which is roughly 0.6% of the US’s total annual government spending of $6.75 trillion.

Former USAID officials have strongly criticised Trump’s move. Gayle Smith, a former USAID chief, told the BBC: “When you pull all of that out, you send some very dangerous messages. The US is signalling that we don’t frankly care whether people live or die and that we’re not a reliable partner.”

From the homepage

SC on amended Waqf Act: What has been stayed, what remains

Congress seeks 70 seats in Bihar, of these 27 are ‘good’ by its yardstick

‘Despite pleading, she purposely took us to a small hospital far away’: Wife of Finance Ministry officer killed in BMW accident to cops; driver arrested