Judge Halts Trump Administration Mass Federal Layoffs, Citing Congressional Approval

A federal judge in San Francisco, Susan Illston, has issued a temporary restraining order halting the Trump administration's plans to downsize the federal workforce and reorganize multiple agencies without Congressional approval. The order, effective for 14 days, stops mass layoffs and agency dismantlements across key departments such as Health and Human Services, State, Treasury, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration. Judge Illston emphasized that while the president has broad powers to reorganize the government, such actions must comply with legal and procedural requirements, including cooperation with Congress. The ruling came in response to lawsuits filed by labor unions, cities, and other groups challenging the legality of the administration's executive order and subsequent memos directing workforce reductions. This decision underscores the judiciary's role in maintaining checks and balances among the branches of government and rejects the idea of unchecked presidential authority. The administration's efforts to shrink what it deems a bloated federal government have faced significant legal resistance, with this ruling representing a major judicial pushback against the executive's downsizing agenda.