Judge Blocks State Dept. Layoffs; Biden Appeals

A federal judge in California, Susan Illston, has temporarily blocked the State Department from proceeding with a planned reorganization that would lay off nearly 2,000 employees, aligning with Secretary of State Marco Rubio's efforts to streamline the agency. The judge ruled that her previous injunction against federal workforce reductions directed by President Trump also applies to the State Department, despite claims of independence from the executive order. The State Department had already informed Congress of plans to cut over 15% of its workforce, and affected employees had received layoff notifications, which are now on hold. The ruling followed a lawsuit filed by unions, nonprofits, and municipalities arguing the layoffs were unnecessary and would exacerbate workforce strain. The Biden administration has appealed the injunction to the Supreme Court, leaving the department's future actions uncertain. Meanwhile, the State Department continues to prepare for possible workforce reductions, pending the lawsuit's resolution.