FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2025
February 21, 2025
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Plaintiff Statements: U.S. District Court Denies Request for Injunction by USAID Employees
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia today denied a motion for a preliminary injunction on the Trump-Vance administration’s attempt to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
The ruling will allow the Trump administration to put thousands of USAID employees on administrative leave and repatriate them to the U.S. from their posts overseas.
The ruling came in response to a legal challenge filed by Democracy Forward and Public Citizen Litigation Group, on behalf of the American Foreign Service Association, American Federation of Government Employees, and Oxfam America.
The groups filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, Scott Bessent, the USAID, the State Department, and the Department of Treasury for their efforts to shut down USAID, a move that could trigger a global humanitarian crisis. Earlier this month, the court issued a temporary restraining order, halting the Trump administration's attempt to place 2,200 aid workers on leave and pausing parts of the USAID shutdown.
“Today’s ruling is a disappointing setback as we push to reinstate USAID’s lifesaving programs around the globe, and protect the agency’s staff from dangerous mistreatment,” said Abby Maxman, President and CEO of Oxfam America. “No matter today’s result – the fact remains that the dismantling of USAID and U.S. foreign assistance is cruel and illegal. We look forward to the next opportunity to uphold the immeasurable value of U.S. foreign assistance.”
“While we are disappointed in today’s ruling, our commitment to our USAID members and the vital work they do on behalf of the American people remains unwavering,” said Tom Yazdgerdi, President of the American Foreign Service Association. “This decision is a setback in our fight to protect our members from efforts that threaten to dismantle USAID, but it does not change the importance of their mission—advancing U.S. interests and delivering life-saving assistance worldwide. We will continue to explore all possible avenues to defend the integrity of the Foreign Service and ensure our members can carry out their essential work.”
“Today’s ruling is a setback but we remain committed to our USAID members and the valuable work they do. We will continue to fight the administration’s illegal efforts to dismantle USAID,” said Everett Kelley, President of the American Federation of Government Employees.
“The Trump administration’s attack on USAID is part of a coordinated effort to undermine the will of Congress and isolate America on the global stage. We are disappointed in today's decision and believe the harms faced by USAID workers are real. We remain confident that the court will find the administration's efforts to decimate USAID contrary to law. We will continue to pursue all legal options in this case in order to ensure the safety of Americans at home and abroad," said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward.
“The Trump administration is dismantling USAID at a fast clip, putting its staff at risk, straining the resources of humanitarian organizations, and endangering the health and lives of millions of people. The judge denied our request for prompt relief, but we will move expeditiously for further and permanent relief to stop the devastation,” said Lauren Bateman, attorney with Public Citizen Litigation Group.
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