A federal judge has temporarily halted President Donald Trump’s sweeping plan to downsize the U.S. federal workforce, citing concerns over its legality and potential harm to public services.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued a 14-day restraining order blocking the implementation of Trump’s February executive order, which directed federal agencies to eliminate non-essential positions as part of a broader government overhaul led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk.
The judge emphasized that such significant restructuring likely requires Congressional approval.
The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by a coalition of labor unions, non-profit organizations, and local governments. They argued that the administration’s actions exceeded executive authority and disrupted essential services.
Evidence presented included over 1,000 pages of documents and 62 sworn declarations, highlighting, for instance, the termination of 221 out of 222 employees at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Since Trump’s return to office in January, his administration has aggressively pursued workforce reductions across multiple federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, Social Security Administration, and USAID. Critics contend that these layoffs have led to significant disruptions in public services and have been implemented without proper legal procedures.
A hearing is scheduled for May 22 to determine whether a longer-term injunction should be imposed.
