US federal judge blocks dismissal of intelligence officers for diversity work

​​​​​​​By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - A US federal judge temporarily halted the firing of 11 intelligence officers who worked on diversity initiatives, ordering them to remain on paid administrative leave until a full hearing.

Judge Anthony Trenga issued an administrative stay Tuesday that prevented the dismissal of six male and five female CIA and intelligence officers for their involvement in diversity, equity, inclusion and access programs.

The court ordered President Donald Trump's administration to respond by Thursday to the request by the officers for a temporary restraining order, with a hearing scheduled for Feb. 24.

The officers, identified in court documents as John Does 1-6 and Jane Does 1-5, will continue receiving full pay and benefits while on administrative leave.

The lawsuit filed Monday alleged that the dismissals violated their constitutional rights and federal law.

On Jan. 20 an executive order named "Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing," described such programs as “illegal and immoral.”

The following day, a White House statement described the programs as “dangerous”, "stigmatizing" and "demeaning hardworking Americans," and resulting in “disastrous consequences.”