Challenges Ahead for USAID Workers Amid Controversial Trump Orders

A federal judge ruled against blocking over 2,000 USAID workers being put on leave, impacting government employee unions challenging the action. This lawsuit, among others, follows President Trump's order pausing foreign aid for 90 days, stirring controversy over drastic foreign aid cuts and operational changes.

A federal judge has declined to prevent the Trump administration from placing more than 2,000 USAID workers on leave, a move seen as a defeat for government employee unions in their legal battle against the administration. The unions had argued that the move was part of an effort to dismantle the foreign aid agency.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols stated that unions failed to demonstrate that their members faced imminent danger by being placed on leave. He also emphasized that federal law requires employees to pursue internal administrative dispute processes before proceeding to federal court.

This case is one of several lawsuits filed in response to aggressive cuts in U.S. foreign aid, following President Trump's executive order which paused foreign aid for 90 days. The ruling coincides with another judge's order for USAID and the U.S. State Department to resume payments on frozen contracts and grants.

(With inputs from agencies.)