A federal judge in California has ordered the Trump administration to immediately stop most of its aggressive efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce. Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco issued the emergency injunction on Friday in response to a lawsuit filed last week by labor unions and local governments, challenging the president’s efforts to cut what he labels as a bloated and costly government.
The temporary restraining order directs numerous federal agencies to cease implementation of the workforce reduction executive order signed in February, along with a subsequent memo from the Department of Government Efficiency and the Office of Personnel Management. The order, which is set to last for 14 days, does not mandate the rehiring of laid-off employees. Instead, it aims to postpone any agency actions related to the executive order and halt any further enforcement or implementation of the policy.
The plaintiffs focused their request on departments where dismantling efforts are already underway or imminent, including the Department of Health and Human Services, which announced plans in March to lay off 10,000 workers and consolidate divisions.
During a hearing on Friday, Judge Illston, who was appointed by former President Bill Clinton, clarified that the president has the authority to propose changes within the executive branch, which is created by Congress. However, she emphasized that the current order’s implementation must be paused while legal challenges are addressed, giving a temporary reprieve to federal employees and agencies affected by the downsizing efforts.
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