Judge Blocks Trump Order on Federal Union Rights

A federal judge in California, James Donato, has issued a preliminary injunction blocking President Trump's March executive order that aimed to strip collective bargaining rights from over a million federal employees. Judge Donato found credible evidence that the order targeted unions in retaliation for their opposition, raising First Amendment concerns and the risk of irreparable harm to workers. The order invoked national security to justify removing union protections from numerous agencies, but Donato questioned the legitimacy of labeling agencies like the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases as national security entities. The ruling emphasized the unconstitutional nature of political retaliation against unions and highlighted the chilling effect on workers. This decision contrasts with a May ruling by the DC Circuit, which lifted a similar block, potentially setting up a legal conflict as the Trump administration considers an appeal. Unions, led by the American Federation of Government Employees, welcomed the injunction as a protection of workers' rights and a check on executive overreach.