Court blocks Trump plan to send USAID staff on leave

A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order halting President Donald Trump's plan to place 2,200 employees of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) on paid administrative leave, just hours before the measure was set to take effect. 

Judge Carl Nichols granted the "limited" order in response to an eleventh-hour lawsuit filed by two unions representing USAID workers, aiming to preserve the agency amid concerns over its dismantling.

Judge Nichols' restraining order will remain in effect for one week, until midnight on February 14. The decision prevents further USAID staff from being placed on leave during this period and mandates that all currently furloughed employees be reinstated immediately. Additionally, these employees must regain full access to email, payment, and security notification systems until the order expires.

The judge ruled that failing to intervene would cause "irreparable harm" to the unionized workers, while asserting that the government would suffer "zero harm" as a result of the temporary pause. In his written order, Nichols said:  “All USAID employees currently on administrative leave shall be reinstated until that date, and shall be given complete access to email, payment, and security notification systems until that date, and no additional employees shall be placed on administrative leave before that date."

A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday to consider whether the pause should be extended long-term. However, the fate of the remaining USAID workforce remains uncertain under the court order.

President Trump has long criticised USAID, arguing that the overseas aid agency does not represent a worthwhile investment of taxpayer money. His administration plans to dismantle the agency by placing nearly all of its 10,000 employees on leave, except for 611 key personnel. Prior to Friday's ruling, approximately 500 USAID staff had already been placed on administrative leave.

As part of his broader campaign to reduce federal spending, Trump established the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, to identify areas for budget cuts. Shortly after taking office on January 20, Trump signed an executive order suspending all foreign assistance until funds could be vetted and aligned with his "America First" policy. This move triggered a stop-work order at USAID, which oversees health and emergency programs in roughly 120 countries, including some of the world's poorest regions.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump justified his actions, claiming:  "USAID IS DRIVING THE RADICAL LEFT CRAZY... THE CORRUPTION IS AT LEVELS RARELY SEEN BEFORE. CLOSE IT DOWN!"

Critics argue that dismantling USAID could lead to severe global consequences. Former USAID Administrator Samantha Power condemned the move in a New York Times op-ed, labelling it "one of the worst and most costly foreign policy blunders in US history."*

The lawsuit was filed by the American Foreign Service Association and the American Federation of Government Employees, both of which represent USAID workers. During the hearing, Judge Nichols—nominated by Trump himself—acknowledged the unions' concerns but declined to grant broader requests, such as restoring grants and contracts or reopening USAID facilities.

The legal action asserts that Trump's efforts to dismantle USAID violate the US Constitution and federal law. According to the complaint: “Not a single one of the defendants' actions to dismantle USAID were taken pursuant to congressional authorisation. Pursuant to federal statute, Congress is the only entity that may lawfully dismantle the agency."

USAID is the largest single donor of humanitarian aid globally, with a budget of around $40 billion—a figure representing approximately 0.6% of total US annual government spending ($6.75 trillion). Its programs focus on critical issues like healthcare, education, and disaster relief, particularly in low-income countries.

Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS, warned that cutting USAID funding would have catastrophic effects worldwide. She told the BBC:  "AIDS-related deaths in the next five years will increase by 6.3 million if funding is not restored."

With two-thirds of its workforce stationed overseas, USAID plays a pivotal role in addressing crises ranging from pandemics to famines. The abrupt disruption of its operations threatens millions of lives dependent on its support.

Despite the court's intervention, uncertainty looms over USAID's future. While Judge Nichols halted the immediate placement of staff on leave, he has yet to rule on the broader legality of Trump's attempts to disband the agency. If allowed to proceed, the closure could undermine America's leadership in global development and humanitarian aid.

As officials scramble to comply with the ruling, signs at USAID's Washington, DC, headquarters are reportedly being removed or covered, symbolising the agency's precarious status. Advocates for USAID stress its importance in promoting stability, combating poverty, and advancing US interests abroad.

The coming days will determine whether the judiciary can provide lasting protection for USAID or if the agency faces further reductions. For now, the restraining order buys time for supporters to rally against what they see as a misguided attack on vital international assistance.