Abdelrahman
A federal judge has recently allowed the Trump administration to proceed with its plans to dismiss numerous employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols rejected a request from labor unions seeking a preliminary injunction after the Trump administration announced that thousands of USAID workers would be placed on administrative leave. Additionally, personnel stationed overseas were instructed to return to the United States within a month.
Judge Nichols mentioned, "Evaluating the claims of the plaintiffs against those of the government is akin to comparing apples and oranges. One side argues that USAID’s functions are vital for human welfare, while the other contends they are currently counterproductive. Consequently, the Court cannot determine whether the public interest leans towards favoring or opposing an injunction, as a matter of law or equity."
Earlier in the month, the judge had temporarily halted the administration’s efforts to put 2,200 USAID employees on administrative leave. He also reversed the leave status for 500 workers and paused the process for expediting evacuations of personnel from abroad, extending the temporary restraining order until his ruling on Friday.
This story is still unfolding, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
By Zoë Richards, a politics reporter for NBC News. Follow her on Twitter @zarichards.
