Federal Judge Blocks Dismissal of 11 CIA Employees Over DEI Programs
Temporary Injunction Granted
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from terminating 11 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) employees linked to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The order delays the employees’ dismissal for at least five days.
Lawsuit Filed by Former CIA Officer
Kevin Carroll, a former CIA officer and lawyer representing the employees, filed a lawsuit on Monday. The lawsuit alleges that the 11 employees were placed on temporary assignments related to DEI initiatives and had not received negative performance evaluations. Carroll argued that the employees were being fired based on an assumption that they were politically aligned with the left.
Judge Requests Additional Time
The restraining order provides Judge Trenga with additional time to consider the legal arguments presented by both sides. It is not a definitive ruling on the lawsuit.
Trump’s Executive Order on DEI Programs
The 11 employees are among 51 CIA employees who were placed on administrative leave after President Trump took office and issued an executive order aiming to eliminate DEI programs within the federal government.
The 51 employees were summoned to the CIA visitors center outside the agency’s high-security perimeter in Langley, Virginia, and had their identification badges confiscated.
Employees Given Options for Separation
According to copies of unclassified notices provided to the employees and reviewed by Reuters, they were given three options, with a deadline of 5 p.m. on Wednesday for acceptance:
- Retirement by October 1
- Resignation effective Tuesday
- Termination on May 20
Legal Challenges to the Administration’s Actions
The Trump administration’s efforts to combat DEI initiatives and purge government waste have faced numerous legal challenges. The administration has also sought to reduce funding for federal programs that do not align with its priorities, sparking further legal battles.
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Lawsuits
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), working in collaboration with Elon Musk, has also faced several lawsuits from Democrats and dismissed federal employees.
Additional Reporting Contributions
Reuters contributed to this report.
