Got a Stay, Buddy: Trump's Federal Layoff Scheme Halted for Two Weeks
Judge in U.S. delays large-scale terminations
A US federal judge has put the brakes on Donald Trump's reorganization misadventure, temporarily halting mass layoffs at several federal agencies for two weeks.
The move comes after a lawsuit filed by a coalition of unions, non-profit organizations, and local governments, who accused Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the US government of stepping over their bounds by executing mass layoffs without Congressional consent.
Judge Susan Illston of California shares the sentiment, believing Trump must collaborate with Congress to achieve the changes he's seeking. She stated, "As history shows, the president can only comprehensively restructure federal agencies if he is authorized to do so by Congress."
While the White House hasn't drama-queened over the decision yet, the plaintiffs rejoiced, claiming, "The Trump administration's illegal attempt to reorganize the federal government has thrown agencies into chaos and disrupted crucial services across the nation."
Since taking office, Trump has been quite the busy beaver, driving a radical restructuring and dismantling of parts of the US government infrastructure. The DOGE, under the watchful eye of Trump's pal Elon Musk, led this circus.
Amidst numerous departments and agencies closing shop and thousands of employees packing their bags, it's evident the plans are stirring up dissent, not just from the Democratic opposition in Congress, but also from within Trump's very own Republican party.
So, for now, it's a (temporary) win for the workers. But, the show must go on, and we'll keep you posted.
- USA
- Donald Trump
- California
- DOGE Department
- Elon Musk
Sources: ntv.de, sba/AFP; Additional Info: This dispute centers around Judge Susan Illston's preliminary injunction, which temporarily halts Trump's large-scale federal government layoffs and agency reorganizations for a 14-day period starting May 10, 2025. The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by a coalition of labor unions, nonprofit organizations, and local governments, who argue Trump's executive order scoffs the Constitution by bypassing Congress. The judge emphasized that Trump's authority lacked Congressional authorization, which is crucial for extensive agency overhauls. The ruling also orders the Trump administration to present their restructuring plans by May 13, 2025, and a hearing is scheduled for May 22, 2025, to consider prolonging the injunction or issuing a longer preliminary injunction.
- The Commission, under these circumstances, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, given the ongoing reorganization and dismantling of federal agencies.
- Judge Susan Illston, a federal judge from California, agreed with the suit filed by a coalition of unions, non-profit organizations, and local governments, stating that Donald Trump must collaborate with Congress to achieve the changes he's seeking in federal policy and legislation.
- The DOGE Department, overseen by Elon Musk, has been at the forefront of Donald Trump's efforts to radically restructure and dismantle parts of the US government infrastructure, a move that has sparked disagreements not just from the Democratic opposition in Congress but also from within Trump's Republican party.
- Amid the chaos of mass layoffs and the dismantling of various federal agencies, the recent decision by Judge Susan Illston to issue a preliminary injunction banning large-scale federal government layoffs for a 14-day period starting May 10, 2025, has brought a (temporary) win for the workers.
- As the dispute between Donald Trump and the coalition of unions, non-profit organizations, and local governments continues, the focus now shifts to the Trump administration's restructuring plans, which are due to be presented by May 13, 2025, and will be under scrutiny at a hearing scheduled for May 22, 2025.
