Who is Carl Nichols, judge who extended stay on Trump's order to fire USAID staffers?

The judge handed the administration a setback last week as well by temporarily halting the plans that would have put thousands of workers on leave

Published on: Feb 14, 2025, 03:44:07 IST

By HT News Desk

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US district judge Carl Nichols on Thursday extended a stay on President Donald Trump's order that would leave most USAID employees out of a job, for another week.

TOPSHOT - US President Donald Trump signs an Executive Order on reciprocal tariffs in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 13, 2025. Trump announced that he would impose "reciprocal tariffs" on trading partners, opening new fronts in his trade war. The move would match US tariff rates on imports to the levels that other countries impose on US goods. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (AFP)

District judge Carl Nichols, extended the pause on Thursday, after a three-hour hearing on how the Donald Trump administrations orders to put thousands of workers on leave and freeze foreign aid funding, would detrimentally affect employees, according to an Associated Press report.

Also Read: Donald Trump working to dismantle USAID, an agency his wife Melania & daughter Ivanka promoted

The judge also said that he planned to issue a written ruling soon on whether the pause will continue.

Nichols, who was appointed by Donald Trump, questioned the government's abrupt decision that would leave employees overseas in high-risk situations without homes or agency funding. After not receiving a satisfactory answer, judge Nichols asked for court documents to be filed on the matter after the hearing.

Also Read: Who is Aravind Srinivas, Indian-origin CEO who challenged Elon Musk over USAID

Donald Trump's order would have led to thousands of workers being put on leave, with those overseas only being given 30 days to return to the United States at government expense.

Also Read: US international aid's website goes offline amid Donald Trump's foreign funding pause

The judge handed the Trump administration a setback last week as well by temporarily halting plans to pull the plug on staff and funding.

Carl Nichols

On June 7, 2018, President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Nichols to serve as a United States district judge for the district of Columbia. On June 18, 2018, his nomination was sent to the Senate.

President Trump nominated Nichols to the seat vacated by Richard W. Roberts, who assumed senior status on March 16, 2016. Nichols was nominated and appointed once again in 2019.

Judge Nichols is known for presiding over the 202 Trump v TikTok case and was also the judge for the 2022 trial in which a jury convicted former Trump chief of staff Steve Bannon of contempt of Congress.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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