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Government reorganization plan by Trump temporarily blocked by federal judge

A judge based inSan Francisco's federal court has enforced a two-week injunction, temporarily halting the comprehensive revamp of the American government led by the Trump administration. This court order affects 20 different government agencies.

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A judge in San Francisco, on the federal level, has implemented a temporary ban lasting two weeks,...
A judge in San Francisco, on the federal level, has implemented a temporary ban lasting two weeks, stopping the Trump administration's extensive reform of the federal government. This decision encompasses 20 agencies.

Government reorganization plan by Trump temporarily blocked by federal judge

Revised Article

May 10, 2025 at 2:11 PM CDT

In a significant turn of events, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston, a Clinton appointee, has issued a temporary halt on the Trump administration's ambitious overhaul of the federal government.

The ruling followed a hearing on Friday in a lawsuit filed by a coalition of labor unions, nonprofits, and local governments, who argue that the president's attempts to restructure the federal government without Congress' authorization is unconstitutional.

Judge Illston agreed with the plaintiffs, citing Supreme Court precedent that while the president can propose changes at agencies, he must do so in accordance with the law.

"To make drastic changes to federal agencies," she wrote in her ruling, "a president must enlist the help of his co-equal branch and partner, the Congress."

The temporary restraining order applies to 20 federal agencies, including the Departments of State, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs. It halts the implementation of Trump's Feb. 11 executive order and subsequent memos, directing agencies to begin major reorganizations, as well as any existing or future Reduction-in-Force (RIF) notices, protecting employees from final separation during the order's 14-day duration.

During the hearing, Judge Illston emphasized the necessity of a temporary restraining order to protect the legislative branch's power. She also ordered the Trump administration to provide the court and plaintiffs with restructuring plans by May 13.

In court, the Trump administration's lawyers argued that the plaintiffs had waited too long to bring the motion, and any "emergency" was self-inflicted. They also contested the court's jurisdiction to hear the case. However, Illston seemed unconvinced by these arguments.

As part of her ruling, Judge Illston stated, "Agencies are executing plans not based on their own independent analysis or decision-making, but rather in accordance with the President's executive order and accompanying instructions." The plaintiffs, including the American Federation of Government Employees and several cities like Chicago, Baltimore, and San Francisco, had sought relief as agencies had already begun mass layoffs.

The government has defended the executive order, arguing that it provides broad direction, while any actions taken must be consistent with applicable law. Despite this, Judge Illston's order indicates that the administration's actions may be unlawful.

Copyright 2025 NPR (Adapted and restructured for clarity and coherence)

Enrichment Data Incorporation:The temporary restraining order issued by Judge Illston affects Trump administration reorganization plans, including those mandated by President Trump's executive orders, particularly involving staffing reductions and reorganizations. The order applies to the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Energy, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other major federal agencies, effectively pausing the execution of RIF plans across these agencies.

  1. The temporary halt on the Trump administration's restructuring of the federal government, as ruled by Judge Susan Illston, includes the Departments of State, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, among others.
  2. Judge Illston's ruling states that any reorganization plans by federal agencies must be in accordance with the law, not just based on the President's executive orders.
  3. The Trump administration's lawyers argued that the plaintiffs waited too long to bring the motion and questioned the court's jurisdiction, but Judge Illston seemed unconvinced.
  4. The temporary restraining order halts the implementation of President Trump's Feb. 11 executive order, RIF notices, and any subsequent reorganization or staffing reduction plans during the order's 14-day duration.
  5. Judge Illston ordered the Trump administration to provide restructuring plans by May 13, a move that emphasizes the need to protect the legislative branch's power.
  6. The general news media, under the umbrella of policy-and-legislation and science, has been active in reporting on this court case involving the government, environment, transportations, and labor unions, among other issues.

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