- A federal judge temporarily halted President Donald Trump’s plan to place thousands of USAID workers on leave. This decision came after a lawsuit was filed by two foreign service unions against the Trump administration.
- Judge Carl Nichols blocked an order that would have required overseas workers to move their families back to the U.S. within 30 days at government expense, citing risks and expenses to the workers and their families.
- The judge also reinstated workers who had already been placed on leave but did not block the Trump administration’s funding freeze for USAID.
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A federal judge on Friday, Feb. 7, temporarily stopped President Donald Trump’s plans to place thousands of U.S. Agency for International Development staffers on leave. President Donald Trump has said that USAID is wasteful and has posted on social media his intent to “close it down.”
What did the judge’s order do?
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, who Trump appointed, ordered a temporary halt to Trump to put thousands of USAID workers on leave. The decision came after a lawsuit was brought forward by two foreign service unions against the Trump administration.
Nichols also agreed to block an order that would’ve given the overseas USAID workers just 30 days to move families back to the U.S. at the government’s expense.
Nichols said both moves would expose the workers and their families to risk and expense. He said workers had told him that the Trump administration had cut off some workers from emails and other communication that they would need in case of an emergency.
The Associated Press had reported that some USAID workers in the Middle East had “panic button” apps erased from their phones when Trump furloughed those workers.
The judge also ordered those who had already been placed on leave to be reinstated. However, Nichols did not block the Trump administration’s funding freeze for the agency.
What does USAID do?
USAID was created in the 1960s to oversee humanitarian aid programs for the U.S. government. It employs about 10,000 people, most of whom work overseas. More than 60 countries have USAID bases.
The department oversees a wide range of activities. Those include HIV clinics, rapid-response teams for Ebola outbreaks and providing economic support for countries in war. Recently, USAID workers have provided relief for people in Ukraine and Gaza.
Why does Trump want to cut USAID?
President Trump has said overseas spending is not a valuable use of taxpayer dollars. During his second term, he has criticized USAID and its work.
The White House published a list of projects the department ran that they deemed were a waste. Some of those projects included a $1.5 million grant to LGBTQ+ groups in Serbia and $2.5 million for electric cars in Vietnam.
Critics, however, have disputed Trump’s way of framing how the money is being spent. For instance, a project the Trump administration claimed was for tourism in Egypt, was listed as helping the area with water, education and transportation.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is in charge of the agency, has said many of USAID’s functions will remain. However, spending “has to be in alignment with the national interest.”
What’s next for USAID?
Judge Nichols’ order will remain in place until Friday, Feb. 14. He said he will consider a longer-term pause at a hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 12.
The White House does have influence over USAID, however, that power is limited. Trump couldn’t simply abolish the agency, he would need the assistance of Congress.
Republicans do hold a slim majority in both houses of Congress. Lawmakers are currently beginning hearings on Trump’s efforts on USAID. The Trump administration aims to make USAID a branch of the State Department, instead of it being a government agency like it is now.
