US Judge Puts Trump’s Plan for Mass Layoffs of Government Workers on Hold
A federal judge in California has issued a temporary restraining order, blocking the Trump administration’s plans to proceed with mass layoffs of government workers.
The order, issued by US District Court Judge Susan Illston, halts the implementation of President Donald Trump’s executive order to downsize the federal workforce, which was announced in February.
The judge’s decision comes in response to a lawsuit filed by a coalition of labor unions, non-profit groups, and six city and county governments, who argued that the Trump administration had exceeded its authority by implementing the layoffs without congressional approval.
The plaintiffs, led by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), claimed that the mass layoffs would disrupt critical services provided by the federal government and harm communities across the nation.
In her order, Judge Illston wrote that the Trump administration’s moves to slash the federal workforce likely require congressional approval, and therefore, she is issuing a temporary restraining order to pause the large-scale reductions in force.
The order is effective for two weeks, giving the parties time to argue their case in court.
The Trump administration’s plan to downsize the federal government is part of a broader effort to reduce the size and scope of the government, led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is headed by Elon Musk.
Since taking office in January, Trump has directed federal agencies to prepare sweeping workforce reduction plans, targeting non-essential workers and programs.
The lawsuit against the Trump administration argues that the mass layoffs would not only harm government employees but also disrupt critical services provided to the public.
The plaintiffs claim that the administration’s actions are unlawful and would have a devastating impact on communities that rely on federal services.
This is not the first time that a judge has blocked one of Trump’s signature policy initiatives. In recent months, judges have thwarted or held up several of the administration’s plans, including those related to immigration and government spending.
The temporary restraining order issued by Judge Illston is a significant setback for the Trump administration’s efforts to downsize the federal government, and it remains to be seen how the case will unfold in the coming weeks.
