WASHINGTON, D.C. – A federal judge has extended a temporary pause on the Trump administration’s plan to put thousands of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) workers on leave. The decision, announced Thursday, means that workers will keep their jobs at least until next Friday while the judge reviews a lawsuit filed by government employee unions.
Why Did the Judge Block the Plan?
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols said he was concerned about the safety of USAID workers stationed in other countries. Many USAID employees work in dangerous environments, delivering aid to war-torn areas, disaster zones, and communities in crisis. The judge did not make a final decision on the unions’ request to fully stop the administration’s budget cuts, but his temporary order gives workers more time before any action is taken.
Trump’s Executive Order Caused Chaos
On January 20, just hours after taking office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that paused all U.S. foreign aid. He wanted to review USAID programs to make sure they aligned with his “America First” policy.
This decision threw USAID into chaos, as funding for lifesaving aid programs suddenly stopped. The U.S. State Department quickly issued worldwide stop-work orders, forcing many humanitarian projects to shut down overnight. The only exceptions were for emergency food aid, but many other critical programs—including medical support and disaster relief—were put on hold.
What’s Next?
The judge’s temporary pause on USAID worker suspensions will remain in place until next Friday while he decides whether to issue a longer-term block on the plan. Meanwhile, the government employee unions continue to fight against what they call “aggressive cuts” that could hurt aid workers and people in need around the world.
