A federal judge in California has issued a temporary injunction halting President Donald Trump’s sweeping plan to downsize the federal government, marking a significant legal setback for the administration’s efforts to restructure federal agencies without congressional approval.
According to the Raw Story on Saturday, 10 May, 2025, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston ruled on Friday that the administration’s actions, spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its de facto leader Elon Musk, likely exceed presidential authority.
The judge emphasized that while the president has the power to influence the executive branch, any substantial reorganization or downsizing of federal agencies requires explicit authorization from Congress.
The lawsuit, brought by a coalition of labor unions, local governments, and nonprofit organizations, contends that the administration’s initiatives amount to an “unconstitutional dismantling of the federal government by the president of the United States on a scale unprecedented in this country’s history and in clear excess of his authority.”
Since President Trump’s return to office in January, the administration has aggressively pursued a plan to reduce the federal workforce, with over 260,000 employees already dismissed or retired.
Major agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Internal Revenue Service, have faced significant staffing cuts, raising concerns about the continuity of essential public services.
The temporary restraining order pauses further layoffs and restructuring efforts for 14 days, providing time for the court to assess the legality of the administration’s actions.
A hearing is scheduled for May 22 to determine whether a more permanent injunction is warranted.
This legal development underscores the ongoing tension between the executive branch’s ambitions to streamline government operations and the constitutional checks and balances designed to prevent overreach.
As the case progresses, it will test the limits of presidential authority and the role of Congress in overseeing significant changes to the federal government’s structure.
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