Federal judge temporarily stops Trump admin from firing 11 intelligence officers assigned to DEI programs

A federal judge has intervened in the Trump administration’s attempt to fire 11 CIA employees linked to DEI programs. U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga issued a temporary order preventing the employees’ termination for at least five days. The employees, who were on temporary assignments related to DEI initiatives, had not received poor performance reviews.

The lawsuit was filed by former CIA officer Kevin Carroll, who argued that the employees were being targeted based on assumptions that they were leftists. The order from Judge Trenga allows for more time to review the legal arguments presented in the case, without making a final ruling.

These 11 employees are part of a group of 51 CIA officers who were placed on administrative leave following Trump’s executive order to eliminate DEI programs across the federal government. The officers were called to the visitors center outside the CIA’s high-security perimeter in Langley, Virginia, where their identification badges were confiscated.

The officers were given three options to choose from by a specified deadline: retirement by October 1, resignation effective immediately, or termination on May 20. This move by the Trump administration is part of its efforts to combat DEI initiatives and eliminate government waste.

Legal challenges against the administration’s actions have been mounting, with Trump also seeking to cut funding for programs that do not align with his priorities. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), in collaboration with Elon Musk, has faced lawsuits from Democrats and dismissed federal employees.

The ongoing legal battles highlight the contentious nature of Trump’s policies and the pushback from those affected by his administration’s decisions. As the case of the CIA employees unfolds in court, the outcome will have broader implications for the future of DEI programs and government initiatives.