Judge blocks Trump administration's USA aid furlough plan
American judge Carl Nichols has temporarily blocked Donald Trump's administration's plan regarding the furloughing of USAID employees. The decision affects 2,700 people and is in effect until 14 February.
District judge Carl Nichols from Washington, nominated by Donald Trump during his first term, has temporarily halted the plan to furlough employees of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The decision affects 2,700 employees.
Judge Nichols' decision, effective until 14 February, blocks the furlough of 2,200 employees on paid leave and restores 500 people already sent on unpaid leave to their positions. The judge also prohibited sending USAID employees working abroad back to the country.
American government employee unions and diplomatic service workers presented a "strong showing of irreparable harm" that could result from the administration's decision.
Nichols will review the request for a more extended suspension of the decision on 12 February. However, he rejected other union requests to reopen USAID offices and restore funding for the agency's grants and contracts.
The Trump administration announced on 4 February that nearly all USAID personnel must return to the country within 30 days, unless deemed "essential personnel." This decision is part of a broader plan to freeze foreign aid, which had already led to layoffs and the closure of agency programmes.
The USAID headquarters in Washington was closed on 3 February, and its computers and servers were removed.
