The Trump administration has made a bold move by requesting the Supreme Court to greenlight its plan for significant layoffs within federal agencies. This emergency appeal aims to swiftly overturn a lower-court injunction that currently blocks the layoffs.
Supreme Court Intervention
This appeal represents the administration’s latest effort to streamline the federal workforce. In a previous instance, the Supreme Court supported the administration by lifting a lower-court order that impeded the termination of probationary workers in six Cabinet departments.
The current appeal pertains to a wider range of federal employees targeted for termination under a February executive order calling for substantial workforce reductions. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston, appointed by President Clinton, recently halted the administration’s layoff plans.
Legal Battle
Solicitor General John Sauer argues that Judge Illston overstepped her bounds by interfering with the president’s authority to execute layoffs and restructure the federal workforce. The order has halted around 40 ongoing reductions-in-force at 17 agencies, according to Sauer.
The administration’s actions have sparked opposition from major federal unions, nonprofits, local governments, and over 20 Democratic-leaning states. They contend that the administration failed to adhere to the necessary legal and procedural requirements for mass layoffs.
Challenges and Controversy
Judge Illston emphasized the importance of following legal protocols and involving Congress in extensive reorganizations. She pointed out that the administration’s approach lacks adherence to established guidelines, including considerations like an employee’s tenure with an agency.
Notable agencies affected by Illston’s order include DOGE, Energy, Commerce, Health and Human Services, Interior, Labor, State, Treasury, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, OMB, OPM, and more.
