A US judge is considering whether to block the Trump administration’s plan to dismantle the US Agency for International Development and put thousands of its employees on administrative leave.

US District Judge Carl Nichols heard the arguments on Friday over a lawsuit by the American Federation of Government Employees and the American Foreign Service Association. The two associations filed a lawsuit Thursday against what they term “unconstitutional and illegal actions” that have resulted in a “global humanitarian crisis.

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The controversy arises from President Donald Trump’s executive order on January 20, the day of his inauguration, which suspended all US foreign aid. After the order, the State Department stopped USAID projects worldwide, closed agency computer systems, and suddenly dismissed or put staff on leave.

“The massive cut in force, the shuttering of offices and the forced relocations were done without executive authority with regards to the separation of powers,” said Karla Gilbride, an attorney representing the unions.

In arguments today inside the courtroom, the Justice Department attorney Brett Shumate said that about 2,200 USAID workers would be placed in paid leave while only 611 “essential” personnel remain. USAID works with over 10,000 people worldwide.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, accused USAID without providing evidence of financial mismanagement and corruption. “USAID IS DRIVING THE RADICAL LEFT CRAZY… SO MUCH OF IT FRAUDULENTLY SPENT… CLOSE IT DOWN!” he wrote.

The restructuring of USAID has been largely overseen by billionaire businessman Elon Musk, a close Trump ally, who has been leading the administration’s effort to reduce the federal workforce.

The judge has yet to make a ruling, which means the future of USAID and its employees is uncertain.