Judge Extends Halt on Trump Administration's USAID Cuts

A federal judge has temporarily extended a pause on the Trump administration's initiative to cut USAID operations and place workers on leave, amid legal challenges from employee unions. Judge Carl Nichols expressed concerns about the safety of USAID employees stationed overseas and has yet to decide on a more permanent injunction against the administration's cuts. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice is appealing a separate ruling that ordered the restoration of federal funding halted by the Trump administration, claiming judicial overreach and violation of the separation of powers. The DOJ's appeal argues that the lower court's decision disrupts the executive branch's control over federal spending. The outcomes of these legal battles could have significant implications for federal workforce management and foreign aid operations. Both cases reflect ongoing tensions between judicial authority and executive power under the Trump administration.