US judge blocks Trump’s plan to put USAID workers on leave

New Delhi, Feb 8: A US judge has temporarily halted President Donald Trump’s move to place 2,200 employees of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) on paid leave. The ruling came just hours before the policy was set to take effect, BBC reported.

Judge Carl Nichols issued a temporary restraining order in response to a lawsuit filed by two unions opposing the plan. The order, which BBC reports will remain in place until 14 February, also reinstates 500 employees who had already been placed on leave.

Trump has argued that USAID, which provides overseas aid, is not a good use of taxpayer money and has been working to dismantle the agency. His administration planned to put nearly all of USAID’s 10,000 employees on leave, except for 611 staff.

The unions challenging the decision claimed it violated the US Constitution and harmed workers. Judge Nichols agreed, ruling that employees would suffer “irreparable harm” if the plan went ahead, while the government would face “zero harm,” reports BBC.

“All USAID employees currently on administrative leave shall be reinstated until that date, and shall be given complete access to email, payment, and security notification systems,” Nichols wrote in his decision as reported. He will consider a longer-term pause at a hearing next Wednesday.

USAID is the world’s largest aid donor, with much of its $40 billion budget spent on global health programs. Two-thirds of its staff work overseas that has affected health programme in most of the developed and underdeveloped countries. The agency is among several federal bodies targeted by Trump’s administration as part of efforts to cut government spending.

The lawsuit was filed by the American Foreign Service Association and the American Federation of Government Employees, representing USAID workers. The legal challenge argues that dismantling the agency without congressional approval is unlawful.

BBC reports that during the hearing, Nichols—who was appointed by Trump—did not appear likely to approve other demands in the lawsuit, such as restoring grants and contracts or reopening USAID offices.

Defending the administration, justice department official Brett Shumate said the president believed there was “corruption and fraud” within USAID. Shortly after taking office on 20 January, Trump signed an executive order freezing all foreign aid until funds were reviewed and aligned with his “America First” policy. This led to an immediate halt in USAID’s work, which includes health and emergency programs in around 120 countries.

USAID’s potential shutdown has raised international concern. The head of the UN’s HIV/AIDS program, Winnie Byanyima, told the BBC that the cuts could have devastating consequences, warning that “AIDS-related deaths in the next five years will increase by 6.3 million” if funding is not restored.