A federal judge in Washington has recently authorized the Trump administration to proceed with significant changes to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This decision paves the way for the administration to initiate the removal of thousands of USAID personnel from their positions both domestically and internationally.
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols dismissed efforts to maintain a temporary injunction that had been placed on the administration’s plan to reduce the workforce at USAID. His ruling also marks the beginning of a 30-day timeline during which USAID employees stationed abroad must return to the U.S. at government expense. This decision stems from a larger lawsuit that unions filed on behalf of USAID workers, particularly those worried about becoming stuck overseas. The legal action points to instances where the Trump administration allegedly delayed necessary medical evacuations for employees and their spouses abroad, disrupted emergency communications for certain contractors, and left staff members in perilous situations in places like Congo without adequate support or resources.
The lawsuit furthermore challenges the administration’s strategy to dismantle USAID, arguing that such actions should be approved by Congress. Judge Nichols stated that USAID remains operational, and the grievances presented by the unions relate mainly to their members’ current employment status within the agency. He concluded that these issues should be addressed through federal employment statutes rather than through district court proceedings.
The Trump administration, alongside the Department of Government Efficiency, recently characterized USAID’s efforts as misaligned with its policy agenda, and insisted, though without clear evidence, that its operations are wasteful. This ongoing legal case is among several suits filed by organizations representing USAID workers, businesses, and nonprofits opposing the abrupt curtailment of the agency’s activities, including the sidelining of its leadership. Notably, a separate ruling has mandated a temporary halt on the freeze that halted funding critical for USAID programs globally.
While the judge expressed concern for employees at high risk while stationed abroad, he later received assurances from the Trump administration regarding their continued access to emergency communication tools. Nichols was persuaded that the risks to USAID employees on administrative leave stationed internationally are significantly less severe than previously believed. In addition, he indicated his contentment with the USAID deputy administrator’s promises that employees would have the option to remain in their roles beyond the 30-day window, should they choose to stay overseas.
Staff members have raised alarms over anticipated major staffing reductions across the agency, voicing fears they could soon be left without jobs, visas, or U.S. governmental support in foreign locations. The initiative to repatriate a majority of overseas personnel has spotlighted the challenges they face amid the impending agency closure. Reports allege that the administration has been delaying medical evacuations for a significant number of USAID employees and their spouses, especially those facing high-risk pregnancies.
In a statement published on Friday, the State Department affirmed its stance, noting that it has approved all necessary medical evacuation requests aligning with required standards and would not deny urgent medical evacuation requests. The State Department collaborates with individuals requiring evacuation to ensure they receive appropriate medical care while adhering to governmental guidelines and financial impositions.
Despite official claims, many American women affiliated with USAID, along with their partners, report experiencing inadequate medical support in unstable regions, expressing real concerns over their safety and health. An employee cited the uncertainty of the administration’s decisions regarding her complicated pregnancy and emphasized the urgency of her situation, stating that she could not afford to merely wait for developments.
Another alarming account comes from the spouse of a USAID worker, who relayed the grave circumstances of his pregnant partner waiting for medical care, only to see a senator intervene for a timely medical evacuation arrangement. However, waiting for the necessary approvals delayed her safe return, putting her at further risk during her complicated pregnancy. The State Department did not address requests regarding the workers’ claims of governmental delays in facilitating medical evacuations.
