Appeals court keeps block on Trump administration’s downsizing of federal workforce
The Hindu
Appeals court refuses to freeze Judge's order halting Trump administration downsizing, keeping federal workforce cuts on pause.
An appeals court on Friday (May 30, 2025) refused to freeze a California-based Judge’s order halting the Trump administration from downsizing the federal workforce, which means that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)-led cuts remain on pause for now.
A split three-Judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals found that the downsizing could have significant ripple effects on everything from the nation's food-safety system to veteran health care and should stay on hold while a lawsuit plays out.
Also read: Trump to reclassify many U.S. Federal workers, making them easier to fire
The Judge who dissented, however, said U.S. President Donald Trump likely does have the legal authority to downsize the executive branch and there is a separate process for workers to appeal.
The Republican administration had sought an emergency stay of an injunction issued by U.S. Judge Susan Illston of San Francisco in a lawsuit brought by labour unions and cities, including San Francisco and Chicago, and the group Democracy Forward.
The Justice Department has also previously appealed her ruling to the Supreme Court, one of a string of emergency appeals arguing federal Judges had overstepped their authority.
The Judge’s order questioned whether Trump’s administration was acting lawfully in trying to pare the federal workforce.
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