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US Courts Block Trump’s Efforts to Access Records, Cut USAID Staff
Federal judges block Trump's team from accessing Treasury records and laying off USAID staff. Legal challenges mount as critics raise concerns over attempts to weaken government institutions.
ND
by News Desk
2025-02-08
US Courts Block Trump’s Efforts to Access Records, Cut USAID Staff

Federal court judgments have halted key actions by former President Donald Trump’s team. The rulings block efforts to access sensitive Treasury Department records and lay off thousands of workers at the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

On Saturday, US District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer issued an injunction preventing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, from accessing Treasury records containing sensitive personal data. The judge scheduled a hearing for February to review the case further.

A day earlier, US District Judge Carl Nichols temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to place thousands of USAID workers on abrupt administrative leave, citing concerns over worker displacement and disrupted operations.

Attempts to Disrupt Government Institutions

The Trump administration's aggressive push to access institutional records and dismantle key agencies has sparked widespread criticism and legal battles. DOGE's demand for Treasury records has been a flashpoint, with critics raising concerns over data privacy and the agency's authority.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office led the lawsuit against DOGE, condemned the effort. "This unelected group, led by the world’s richest man, is not authorized to have this information," James said. "They sought unauthorized access to block payments that millions of Americans rely on for essential programs."

Meanwhile, the attempted downsizing of USAID, which provides humanitarian aid globally, has caused chaos within the agency. The administration’s plan would have slashed the workforce from 10,000 to just 300 and frozen all US foreign aid.

Judge Nichols highlighted the disruptive impact on USAID workers, particularly those stationed in conflict zones like Syria. "Administrative leave in Syria is not the same as administrative leave in Bethesda," he noted.

The judge expressed concern over workers being cut off from essential communication systems, which they rely on for health and safety emergencies. However, he declined to block the funding freeze that has effectively shut down USAID operations.

Legal Battles Intensify

The rulings are part of a growing wave of legal challenges from states, cities, labor unions, and advocacy groups. Several orders have been issued to halt or pause White House moves that critics argue undermine democratic institutions and weaken US influence abroad.

As hearings continue, the fate of USAID and the broader implications of DOGE’s record-access efforts remain uncertain.
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