A federal judge on Friday denied a request to block President Donald Trump from placing thousands of U.S. Agency for International Development employees on administrative leave, paving the way to place an additional 2,000 staff on leave.
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, rejected the preliminary injunction request from two labor unions representing Foreign Service officers and civilian employees, according to a 26-page decision. The unions had argued the administration’s actions would cause irreparable harm, particularly for staff stationed abroad who faced sudden evacuations and restricted access to government systems.
The order notably includes a requirement that those stationed abroad return to the United States within 30 days at government expense, only allowing a handful of staff to remain in place.
Earlier this month, Nichols temporarily halted the administration’s plans and ordered reinstatement for workers already placed on leave. However, Nichols found the alleged harms cited by the unions insufficient to justify further intervention.
Nichols held that the purported risk to USAID employees placed on administrative leave is “far more minimal than it initially appeared.” He dismissed claims of imminent danger or irreparable harm, calling the unions’ concerns about job disruptions and financial losses typical of changing employment conditions.
Nichols also highlighted that existing federal laws allow employees or their unions to contest administrative leave placements through established government channels, suggesting the court lacks jurisdiction in this matter.
The Trump administration argued that these workforce reductions are necessary to meet its policy objectives, and Nichols agreed the measures were “essential” to those goals.
JUDGE SAYS TRUMP HAS NOT COMPLIED WITH RULING ON SUSPENSION OF FOREIGN AID
The federal government has already begun removing USAID contracts, with the agency revealing in court filings on Feb. 12 that it had canceled more than 200 in the span of two days. The administration is moving forward to dismantle the organization and incorporate its functions into the State Department.
The Trump administration has said its goal is to place the majority of USAID employees on administrative leave. Initially, plans were announced to retain only 294 “essential staff” members out of over 10,000 employees worldwide, though recent court filings indicate the number of essential staff sits around 611.
