A federal judge on Friday issued a limited order shielding 2,200 U.S. Agency for International Development employees from being placed on leave or abruptly relocated but stopped short of blocking the Trump administration’s broader overhaul of the agency.
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, an appointee of President Donald Trump, said he would enter a “very limited” restraining order in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Federation of Government Employees and the American Foreign Service Association, which argued that the administration’s actions violated federal law and threatened global humanitarian efforts. Nichols said he will decide later tonight as to whether an additional 500 agency staff already on leave would remain there or be reinstated.
The ruling temporarily halts the forced leave and relocations of the USAID personnel who were part of the suit, but it does not fully block Trump’s executive order pausing U.S. foreign aid or the administration’s plans to restructure the agency.
While Nichols’s order provides temporary relief for thousands of employees, the decision leaves intact much of the administration’s plan, which aimed to downsize dramatically the federal agency that previously staffed over 10,000 personnel.
The USAID building’s signage was entirely removed on Friday, a stark symbol of the administration’s sweeping changes.
Unburdened by what has been. pic.twitter.com/NK2bcK3hlH
— Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) February 7, 2025
The X account for the Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk, posted photos of the stripped-down building with the caption “Unburdened by what has been.” The apparent reference to former Vice President Kamala Harris’s quote, paired with the rapid dismantling of agency branding, sent a clear signal that the administration’s overhaul is moving forward despite legal challenges.
The restructuring has already led to the suspension of USAID projects worldwide, disruptions in agency computer systems, and mass layoffs. In an earlier notice to employees, USAID said it planned to retain only 611 essential workers out of its 10,000-person global workforce.
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At one point during the afternoon hearing, Nichols asked whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as acting USAID administrator, has authority to immediately recall workers. Lawyers with the Department of Justice told the judge they believe that the secretary has “broad authority” over foreign affairs as well as diplomats and foreign service officers.
The DOJ is likely to appeal to achieve a broader win in court, while unions have vowed to continue launching legal challenges. Congressional Democrats are calling for emergency hearings, warning that the restructuring could have far-reaching consequences for U.S. foreign policy.
