US judge weighs blocking Trump from dismantling USAID

8/2/2025 6:59

A U.S. judge is weighing whether to temporarily block the Trump administration from dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development and carrying out plans to put thousands of its workers globally on administrative leave at midnight.



U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols in Washington on Friday held a hearing in a lawsuit filed on Thursday by the American Federation of Government Employees and the American Foreign Service Association. They are seeking an order blocking what it says are "unconstitutional and illegal actions" that have created a "global humanitarian crisis."



The administration in a notice sent to the foreign aid agency's workers on Thursday said it will keep 611 essential workers on board at USAID out of a worldwide workforce that totals more than 10,000.



"The major reduction in force, as well as the closure of offices, the forced relocation of these individuals were all done in excess of the executive’s authority in violation of the separation of powers," Karla Gilbride, a lawyer for the unions, said at the hearing.