A federal judge has intervened to block key elements of President Donald Trump’s move to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), preventing Secretary of State Marco Rubio from forcing 2,200 agency employees into leave within hours.
During an emergency hearing on Friday, U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, appointed by Trump, rebuked the administration’s plan, stating that the 2,200 individuals should not be placed on administrative leave. Judge Nichols signaled that he would formalize his ruling later in the day.
Immediate Impact on USAID
This ruling serves as a swift response to the hasty dismantling of USAID, a pivotal government agency overseeing billions of dollars in international aid initiatives. The push to disband the agency at an accelerated pace was led by Elon Musk. Prior to the court’s decision, President Trump had advocated for the closure of USAID.
Judge Nichols is currently deliberating whether to mandate the government to reinstate 500 workers who had already been placed on leave in recent days while a legal battle initiated by USAID employees and their union progresses.
