US Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Plan to Put USAID Employees on Leave

A federal judge has stopped the Trump administration from sending 2,200 employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on paid leave. The decision came after a lawsuit was filed by the largest U.S. government workers’ union and an association of Foreign Service workers. They sued the administration on Thursday, arguing that the plan to dismantle the agency should be blocked.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols in Washington ruled against the plan, saying he would issue an order to prevent the move. The lawsuit claims that the administration’s actions would unfairly affect the workers at USAID, who play a key role in international aid programs. The decision is seen as a temporary win for those trying to protect the agency and its employees.