California Judge Halts Trump Administration Federal Workforce Cuts

A federal judge in San Francisco, Susan Illston, has issued a 14-day temporary restraining order halting the Trump administration's efforts to dramatically downsize the federal workforce and restructure agencies, ruling that such large-scale changes require Congressional authorization. The ruling followed lawsuits filed by labor unions, non-profits, and local governments who argued the administration's plans, led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Elon Musk, were unlawful and disrupted critical government services. Judge Illston emphasized that while the President may seek changes to executive branch agencies, these must be carried out lawfully and with cooperation from the legislative branch. The order specifically targets departments where workforce reductions were underway or planned, including the Department of Health and Human Services, which intended to lay off 10,000 workers. The judge noted that agencies impacted by the downsizing were created by Congress, underscoring the constitutional requirement for legislative approval. A hearing is scheduled to consider a longer-lasting injunction, with the plaintiffs likely to succeed on some claims.