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Wafric News – May 10, 2025

Washington, D.C. – In a major legal blow to former President Donald Trump’s aggressive push to slash the U.S. federal workforce, a federal judge has issued a sweeping temporary restraining order halting planned mass layoffs and deep agency restructuring tied to his controversial executive order.

Judge Susan Illston, a senior U.S. District Judge based in San Francisco, ruled on Friday that the Trump-backed Agency RIF and Reorganization Plans (ARRPs) — which aim to cut tens of thousands of government jobs and dismantle entire federal departments — cannot proceed, at least for now.

The ruling comes after a lawsuit filed by federal workers’ unions, local governments, and public interest groups argued that the mass terminations violated both legal norms and democratic oversight, especially as key decisions were being made in secrecy.

What’s at Stake?

The administration's directives, implemented through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — led by tech billionaire Elon Musk — have already led to widespread fears of instability across agencies like Health and Human Services, the EPA, Veterans Affairs, and the Treasury Department.

Critics say the DOGE program has operated with little transparency, using the executive order as a fast track to gut federal programs without Congressional input or public scrutiny.

Judge Illston made clear in her ruling that while the President has broad authority, he “must do so with the cooperation of Congress” when it comes to dismantling or restructuring the government at scale. Her decision freezes the implementation of these layoffs and reorganization plans for at least two weeks, as the legal battle continues.

Court Says: No Legal Authority for DOGE or OMB

In a 42-page opinion, Judge Illston wrote that “no statute gives OPM, OMB, or DOGE the authority to direct other federal agencies to engage in large-scale terminations, restructuring, or elimination of itself.” She emphasized the “likely illegal” nature of the orders, reinforcing concerns over executive overreach.

The decision requires the administration to submit all reorganization documents by Tuesday and explain how it plans to comply with the court’s directive.

Reaction from the Challengers

Public interest group Democracy Forward, which is representing the plaintiffs, celebrated the ruling.

“With every move this President is making, we are holding him accountable in court,” said Skye Perryman, CEO of Democracy Forward. “Judges of all stripes are recognizing and defending the rule of law.”

The National Federation of Federal Employees and other unions say the cuts would have irreparably damaged public services relied upon by millions — from food assistance to veterans' healthcare.

Trump’s Push for Privatization Under Fire

This legal challenge is part of broader resistance to Trump's 2025 agenda, which includes merging the U.S. Postal Service under Commerce, slashing federal pensions, and moving toward partial privatization of core government services — policies Musk and other advisers have publicly supported.

The case may now head to the U.S. Supreme Court, as the Justice Department has signaled its intent to appeal, although the judge has denied an immediate fast-track for that effort.

In court, DOJ lawyer Eric Hamilton claimed the lawsuit came too late and challenged whether the courts had the right to intervene in what he called an “internal planning process.” But plaintiffs’ attorney Danielle Leonard pushed back, saying the administration had deliberately kept its plans hidden to avoid judicial review.

What's Next?

For now, the court's order gives breathing room to over a dozen threatened federal agencies. But with the administration pushing ahead, and Congress deeply divided, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether Trump’s restructuring vision can survive legal and political scrutiny.


By WafricNews Desk.

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