California judge pauses much of Trump administration's slashing of federal agencies
3 minute readPublished: Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 3:00 am
**California Judge Halts Trump Administration's Federal Workforce Cuts**
A California judge has temporarily blocked significant portions of the Trump administration's plan to downsize the federal workforce. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued a temporary restraining order on Friday, responding to a lawsuit filed by labor unions and cities. The order halts large-scale reductions in force across numerous federal agencies, including the Departments of Agriculture, Energy, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the EPA and others.
The lawsuit challenges President Trump's efforts to shrink the federal government, a move he has framed as necessary to reduce bloat and costs. The judge's order specifically targets the president's February executive order and a subsequent memo issued by the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. The court's ruling suggests that the president may need Congressional cooperation to implement the changes he seeks.
The order, which expires in 14 days, does not mandate rehiring of laid-off employees. However, it does prevent agencies from taking further action on the workforce reduction plans. The plaintiffs, including cities like San Francisco, Chicago, and Baltimore, along with labor unions and advocacy groups, argued that the administration was acting outside its authority. They claimed the administration was not seeking proper dialogue or approval from agencies before implementing the cuts. The administration's lawyers argued that the executive order and memo provided only general guidance, inviting agencies to engage in their own decision-making processes.
The impact of Trump's efforts has already been felt, with tens of thousands of federal workers either fired, taking deferred resignations, or placed on leave. While there's no official count, at least 75,000 employees took deferred resignations, and thousands of probationary workers have been let go. This case is one of several legal challenges to the administration's workforce reduction efforts.
BNN's Perspective: This ruling highlights the ongoing tension between the executive branch's desire for reform and the checks and balances inherent in our system of government. While streamlining government can be a worthwhile goal, the court's decision underscores the importance of adhering to established legal processes and respecting the role of Congress in shaping federal policy. The temporary nature of the order suggests further legal battles are likely, and the ultimate outcome will have significant implications for the size and scope of the federal government.
Keywords:
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