Judge pauses much of Trump administrations massive downsizing of federal agencies

Published: Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 2:43 am

Judge Halts Trump Administration's Federal Workforce Downsizing

A California judge has temporarily blocked a significant portion of the Trump administration's efforts to downsize the federal workforce. Judge Susan Illston issued a temporary restraining order on Friday, responding to a lawsuit filed by labor unions and cities. The order halts the implementation of President Trump's executive order and subsequent memo aimed at shrinking the federal government, which the administration views as "bloated and expensive."

The judge's ruling centers on the principle of Congressional cooperation. Illston stated that the President likely needs to involve Congress to enact the changes he seeks. The order specifically targets numerous federal agencies, including the Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Labor, and others. It prevents them from taking further action on the workforce reduction plans outlined in the President's executive order.

The order, which is set to expire in 14 days, does not mandate the rehiring of laid-off employees. However, it does postpone the effective date of agency actions related to the downsizing. The lawsuit highlights concerns about the administration's approach, with plaintiffs arguing that decisions were being made outside of proper authority and without adequate agency input. The administration, on the other hand, argued that the memo provided general guidelines for agencies to follow.

The impact of the administration's efforts is already evident. Tens of thousands of federal workers have been affected, with many leaving their jobs through deferred resignation programs or being placed on leave. While there's no official count, at least 75,000 federal employees have taken deferred resignations, and thousands of probationary workers have been let go. This ruling adds another layer of legal complexity to the ongoing debate over the size and scope of the federal government.

BNN's Perspective: This ruling underscores the importance of checks and balances in government. While the President has the authority to propose changes, the judiciary is rightly ensuring that these changes are implemented within the bounds of the law and with appropriate Congressional oversight. This is a crucial step in maintaining the integrity of the federal government and protecting the rights of federal employees.

Keywords: Trump administration, federal workforce, downsizing, Judge Susan Illston, temporary restraining order, executive order, Congressional cooperation, federal agencies, labor unions, layoffs, government employees, legal challenge, San Francisco, Department of Health and Human Services, probationary workers, deferred resignation, government efficiency, OPM, Constitution, Bill Clinton, DOGE

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