On May 22, 2025, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued a preliminary injunction halting the Trump administration’s plan to implement mass layoffs and reorganizations across 22 federal agencies. This decision comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and other organizations, challenging Executive Order 14210, which aimed to reduce the federal workforce by up to 260,000 positions.
Judge Illston’s ruling emphasizes that such sweeping changes require Congressional approval and cannot be executed unilaterally by the executive branch.
The Court therefore ORDERS that federal agency defendants
(1) rescind any RIFs issued pursuant to Executive Order 14210 and
(2) transfer any federal employees who were moved into
administrative leave status to effectuate Executive Order 14210 back
to the status they held prior to being placed on such leave; but the
Court STAYS these two components of retrospective relief for the
duration of any appeal of this injunctive order.
However, the government has appealed this decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, signaling that this legal battle is far from over. While the injunction remains in place for now, we must stay vigilant as the appeal process unfolds.
This case highlights the critical importance of union representation and collective action. It’s a clear reminder that when we stand together, we can protect the federal workforce from overreach and ensure our rights are respected.
We will continue to monitor developments and will keep you informed. If you or someone you know has been affected by these actions, please contact your local steward or union representative as soon as possible.