Judge Blocks Leave for USAID Workers Amid Controversy

A Trump-appointed judge announced during an emergency hearing on Friday a temporary injunction against the administration's decision to place 2,200 U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) employees on paid leave by midnight, according to reports from Fox News.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols expressed uncertainty if his order would also cover the 500 employees already placed on leave. He sided with two federal employee associations—the American Foreign Service Association and the American Federation of Government Employees—who had filed lawsuits challenging the order earlier that week.

The lawsuit stated that government officials "failed to acknowledge the catastrophic consequences of their actions" on American workers, millions globally, and U.S. national interests. Judge Nichols noted that the plaintiffs had "established irreparable harm" and emphasized there was "zero harm to the government to pausing this for some short period of time."

Nichols characterized the order as a "very limited" temporary restraining order.

Earlier, President Trump called for the closure of USAID on Truth Social, emphasizing his discontent with the agency responsible for international development.

A USAID official reported on Friday that the agency had effectively "ceased to exist," with the majority of its staff dismissed and funding halted. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that critical life-saving programs managed by USAID abroad would continue to be operational under waivers.

Founded in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, USAID employed over 10,000 people and operated on an annual budget of about $40 billion.

According to a statement from USAID, at midnight, "all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally," with exceptions for essential workers designated for critical tasks, leadership, and specific programs. These personnel would be notified by Agency leadership by Thursday, February 6, at 3:00pm (EST).

President Trump and Elon Musk, who oversees the Department of Government Efficiency, have suggested relocating surviving USAID life-saving programs to the State Department.

Rubio reassured that the U.S. government would persist in aiding foreign nations, albeit with a focus on assistance that aligns with national interests. Democratic critics, however, argue that the administration's action is illegal and requires Congressional approval.