Summary

A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s plan to place 2,200 USAID employees on administrative leave as part of efforts to shut down the agency.

The American Foreign Service Association and the American Federation of Government Employees argued the move was unconstitutional and harmful to global humanitarian efforts.

Judge Carl Nichols issued a limited restraining order but has not yet ruled on 500 workers already on leave.

DOJ defended the decision, citing alleged corruption and fraud at USAID.