A federal judge in Washington, D.C. has extended a restraining order, preventing the Trump administration from effectively shuttering the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, granted the one-week extension on Thursday, with a final decision expected on February 21st. This ruling requires the reinstatement of any USAID employees placed on administrative leave and prohibits further leave implementations.
The court hearing focused on the potential "irreparable harm" caused by the executive action. The plaintiffs' attorneys, representing the American Foreign Service Association and the American Federation of Government Employees, argued that USAID employees faced safety and well-being concerns, describing the situation as an "unprecedented dismantling" of the agency. They emphasized the coordinated nature of the effort and its unconstitutionality.
The Justice Department countered, stating that the issues were "personnel matters" best addressed through the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), not the courts. Attorney Eric Hamilton downplayed the "irreparable harm" claims, asserting the government's commitment to employee safety and noting that most affected employees were in the US or developed countries. He cited a separate ruling in Massachusetts that allowed a similar Trump administration program to proceed.
The initial order, issued last week, temporarily blocked the administration's plan to place around 2,200 USAID employees on leave and mandate the return of overseas employees within 30 days. Judge Nichols had expressed concerns about the "irreparable harm" the order would cause, prompting the temporary block and expedited legal arguments to assess its legality.
President Trump and DOGE chief Elon Musk's accusations of waste and fraud within USAID provide context for the administration's actions.
