A federal district judge in California has ruled President Donald Trump lacks authority to carry out mass layoffs and sweeping reorganization of U.S. government agencies without approval from Congress.
As a result, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston on Thursday issued a preliminary injunction suspending more large-scale workforce reductions at the Departments of Defense, Energy, Interior and other agencies.
In the Thursday decision, Judge Illston retained key provisions of a temporary restraining order set to expire Friday May 23. The White House already challenged the judge’s earlier restraining order to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
The judge’s order, provided it withstands appeal, could effectively reverse key provisions of implementation plans for executive order 14210. Implementation of the order would involve the Department of Government Efficiency’s “workforce optimization” plan for federal reorganization.
“The Court reiterates the conclusion from its temporary restraining order,” Judge Illston said in the order. “The President has the authority to seek changes to executive branch agencies, but he must do so in lawful ways and, in the case of large-scale reorganizations, with the cooperation of the legislative branch.”
“Many presidents have sought this cooperation before; many iterations of Congress have provided it,” according to the judge’s 51-page written decision.
The case was brought April 28 by the American Federation of Government Employees along with many non-profit groups and municipalities.
