Federal Judge Susan Illston pauses Trump admin mass layoffs
The Trump administration faced a setback on Friday as a federal judge ordered a temporary halt to its government overhaul plans. Judge Susan Illston ruled in favor of a group of unions, non-profits, and local governments, stating that Congress did not authorize the administration to carry out large-scale staffing cuts and agency restructuring.
The ruling comes in response to President Donald Trump’s directive to agencies to work with the Department of Government Efficiency to identify targets for mass layoffs as part of the administration’s restructuring plans. The aim was to eliminate duplicative roles, unnecessary management layers, and non-critical jobs, while automating routine tasks and reducing the use of outside contractors.
However, the judge’s ruling blocks the implementation of these mass layoffs, known as “reductions in force,” for 14 days. The administration’s efforts to reorganize the federal government have faced numerous legal challenges, with this ruling being the most broad against the overhaul led by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla.
The coalition of plaintiffs behind the lawsuit argued that the administration’s attempt to reorganize the government has caused chaos and disrupted critical services. They claimed that the layoffs and reorganization were unlawful and exceeded the administration’s authority.
The judge scheduled a hearing for May 22 to consider a longer-lasting preliminary injunction. She highlighted examples of the impact of the layoffs, such as the termination of workers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and its Pittsburgh office, which researches health hazards facing mineworkers. Similar examples were seen at local offices of Head Start, the Farm Service Agency, and the Social Security Administration.
The plaintiffs submitted extensive evidence and sworn declarations to support their claims, and the judge noted that they are likely to suffer irreparable harm without the temporary restraining order. The ruling preserves the status quo while the legal battle continues.
Overall, the judge’s decision is a significant blow to the Trump administration’s efforts to overhaul the government and highlights the importance of congressional authorization for such sweeping changes. The hearing on May 22 will further determine the future of the administration’s restructuring plans.
