The judge noted in his order that the unions had presented a “strong showing of irreparable harm” if the court did not intervene.
A judge has temporarily put a halt on the Trump administration’s attempt to downsize the US Agency for International Development (USAID), making it so that approximately 2,700 employees who were placed on leave can return to work.
US District Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, issued the order on Friday in response to a lawsuit filed by the largest US government workers’ union and an association of foreign service employees. The unions argued that the administration’s actions overstepped executive authority and caused undue harm to USAID personnel.
Nichols’ ruling, which remains in effect until February 14, prevents the administration from placing an additional 2,200 USAID employees on paid leave starting Saturday and reinstates 500 workers who had already been furloughed. It also blocks the administration from moving USAID humanitarian workers stationed overseas.
The judge noted in his order that the unions had presented a “strong showing of irreparable harm” if the court did not intervene. However, Nichols declined to grant other union requests, such as reopening USAID offices and restoring funding for agency grants and contracts. A hearing scheduled for Wednesday will determine whether a longer-term injunction will be put in place.
