USAID Laying Off 1,600 Workers After Court Lifted Restraining Order

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols lifted a temporary restraining order issued earlier this month in response to a lawsuit filed by labor unions.
USAID Laying Off 1,600 Workers After Court Lifted Restraining Order
The lobby of the U.S. Agency for International Development headquarters in Washington on Feb. 3, 2025. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Aldgra Fredly
Updated:

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) issued a notice on Feb. 23 stating that it was laying off at least 1,600 workers in the United States and placing others on administrative leave after a federal judge lifted a temporary restraining order blocking the planned staff removal.

All remaining USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on “administrative leave globally” from midnight Feb. 23, except for those handling “mission-critical functions, core leadership and/or specially designated programs,” according to the agency’s notice.