Federal Judge Halts Trump, Musk's USAID Shutdown Plans

A federal judge has temporarily halted President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's plans to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), preventing mass job terminations. Judge Carl Nichols emphasized the potential risks to workers and essential programs, marking a significant legal setback for Trump's broader downsizing efforts. Trump has publicly condemned USAID, claiming widespread corruption and fraud, and has tasked Musk with scaling down the agency. In response to Trump's freeze on foreign aid, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to identify certain USAID programs for exemption from shutdown orders, aiming to align them with Trump's 'America First' policy. Critics, including some lawmakers, have challenged Trump's authority to shut down USAID without congressional approval, arguing it undermines essential humanitarian efforts. The situation remains contentious as the administration faces legal and political pushback on its foreign aid policies.