Judge denies bid to block Trump administration from placing USAID workers on leave
Washington – A federal judge on Friday refused to stop the Trump administration from putting thousands of employees of U.S. international agencies on executive leave and recalling others from overseas, reinvigorating President Trump’s efforts to overhaul his reforms The agency cuts the size of the federal government as part of his plan.
Carl Nichols, U.S. District Court Judge appointed by Mr. Trump Reject request For the preliminary injunctions sought by both labor unions, representing members of foreign services and civilian employees. Nichols has Issue temporary commands Earlier this month, this prevented the administration from evacuating thousands of USAID employees on administrative leave and evacuating overseas positions and ordered the Trump administration to restore USAID workers who have been asked for leave.
But Nichols now allows the Trump administration to resume these efforts when rejecting a request for a preliminary ban.
exist 26 pages of decisionThe judge said the union’s claims of employment-related injuries did not guarantee the emergency remedies they sought. He said the Justice Department has convinced the court that U.S.A.D. employees at administrative leave are “much less less than what initially appeared.”
Nichols added: “The plaintiff has no irreparable harm. Employee complaints.
He added that the impact of union complaints on members who have been on leave and demanded a return to the U.S. is “a prototype complaint about changing employment status and its subsequent effects – which seems to be largely financial. ”
The judge also noted that federal law allows employees at home and abroad or their union representatives to object to sending administrative leave, indicating that the district court may lack jurisdiction over union claims.
Nichols found that the Trump administration has proposed a reasonable case where the actions discussed are “critical to their policy goals.”
Although the union’s argument is that USDA workers currently overseas are stranded and locked out of computer systems, sometimes in dangerous situations, Nichols found that, according to the current USDA leadership, based on USDA UNDP declaration is sufficient for protecting workers’ overseas safety.
The United States Agency for International Development, founded in 1961, is an early goal for Mr. Trump and Mr. Elon Musk, who the president says is leading. White House Government Efficiencyor Doge, as part of their plan to cut the size of the federal government.
Shortly after taking office, the president ordered a 90-day pause on foreign aid, throwing uncertainty to foreign development projects overseas and contractors, nonprofits and international aid groups.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Congress earlier this month that the government will start Potentially reorganize US Agency for International Development. As part of this effort, more than 2,100 employees will be arranged for administrative leave, and the agency determines that approximately 611 employees are essential. It also orders those who return to the United States at overseas positions
The agency plans to place another 2,000 USAID workers on executive holidays by 11:59 p.m. on February 7, but Nichols issued a temporary restraining order to block lawsuits and demand that the Trump administration recover already affected the person.
According to the Congressional Research Services, the U.S. Agency for International Development employs more than 10,000 employees, with approximately 4,800 directly employed people stationed in foreign and domestic positions.
Mr. Trump’s efforts against the United States Agency for International Development have sparked several lawsuits, including another lawsuit by a group of nonprofits and contractors to fund foreign aid projects.
While the Trump administration clearly puts more than 4,000 U.S. International Development employees on administrative leave in disputes involving unions, federal judges in cases filed by nonprofits prevent the Trump administration from suspending foreign aid, grants and contracts, while legal proceedings continue.
In addition to the US Agency for International Development, the Trump administration has also fired federal workers across the administration. Earlier this week Federal judge allows Mr. Trump’s efforts A request for termination of government employees was rejected to cut the continued federal labor force, part of a separate lawsuit by a group of unions.
CBS news analysis found that as of Friday, the Trump administration had fired at least 12,000 federal employees.
