Federal judge halts Trump administration's initiative to shrink the scope of federal agencies.
The President's ambitious plan to reshape the federal government encountered a significant roadblock last Friday, as a California judge temporarily blocked moves to downsize 21 departments and agencies. Judge Susan Illston, a Clinton appointee, issued a restraining order, putting the brakes on the president's Workforce Optimization Initiative for these departments.
Illston argued that the President may possess the authority to order restructuring, but itmust be done lawfully. In her order, she pointed out that cooperation from the legislative branch is often sought and provided for large-scale reorganizations. The President, she wrote, must request this cooperation and she expects him to do so to enact the changes he desires, hence, the restraining order.
The administration, not one to back down easily, quickly filed an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, asking them to review Illston's decision.
The temporary restraining order prevents the Office of Personnel Management, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Government Efficiency (DGE), and several other departments, including Housing and Urban Development, Interior, and Transportation, from enacting any reductions in force or reorganizations.
The lawsuit, filed on April 28, was initially deemed premature by the administration, as the relevant executive order was issued almost three months earlier. However, Illston disagreed, stating that plaintiffs waited to gather information about potential harm from the executive order and associated plans.
A coalition of nonprofits, unions, and local governments expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, stating that the Trump administration's haphazard actions threaten critical services provided across the nation. They will continue to argue their case in court on May 22.
The White House, as usual, remained uncharacteristically silent on the matter.
Key to the president's reorganization plans are the powers granted by the Constitution, as well as federal statutes and requirements. However, these powers must be exercised in a lawful manner, following rigorous legal and procedural guidelines to ensure that actions do not contravene existing laws[1].
[1] [https://constitution.concordcoalition.org/amendment/amendment-ii/]
Suggests Judge Susan Illston, a Clinton appointee, argued that the President's authority to order restructuring should be exercised lawfully, implying that her temporary restraining order is a response to concerns about the legality of the President's Workforce Optimization Initiative.
The President's plan to enact changes, such as downsizing 21 departments and agencies, requires cooperation from the legislative branch, as Judge Illston pointed out in her order.
The coalition of nonprofits, unions, and local governments, who are satisfied with Illston's decision, expressed concerns about the Trump administration's actions potentially contravening existing laws and threatening critical services provided across the nation. Their lawsuit will continue in court on May 22.
