Judge blocks Trump from placing USAID employees on leave

President Donald Trump’s attempt to place over 2,200 United States Agency International Development employees on leave has been blocked by a federal judge.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, has issued a temporary restraining order preventing Trump as well as the Government Efficiency Department from placing any of the impacted employees on leave.

In addition, it was reported that Nichols also reinstated close to 500 other United States Agency for International Development (USAID) workers that Trump had already put on leave.

Nichols also let any of the affected workers know that no USAID employees are to be evacuated from host countries prior to Feb. 14.

Nichols will also oversee the lawsuits filed against Trump and his administration by multiple foreign service unions.

The unions have grievances with the USAID workforce being cut by more than 13,000 positions.

“The humanitarian consequences of defendants' actions have already been catastrophic,” one line of the lawsuit said.

Nichols has released a statement regarding the lawsuits filed by the unions.

“This is about how employees are harmed in their capacity as employees -- in the employee/employer relationship -- and it seems to me that, for reasons I will discuss in this order, that I will enter there, the plaintiffs have established at least that there is irreparable harm as it relates to that relationship,” Nichols said.

Acting assistant Trump administration attorney, Brett Shumate, has told Judge Nichols that Trump’s decision to cut the positions was necessary because “the president has decided there was corruption and fraud at USAID.”

“He doesn't have to justify to the plaintiffs and the court how he exercises his foreign affair,” the attorney explained.

“The president has determined, in his view, significant serious action needs to be taken tonight to prevent taxpayer funds from being sent outside the United States, used for purposes that he doesn't think are appropriate,” Shumate concluded.

Do you think Trump's decision to place the employees on leave will eventually take effect?