A U.S. federal judge on Friday, May 9, 2025, blocked the Trump administration’s sweeping executive order targeting federal workforce and agency reorganizations.
According to CNN, a senior District Judge Susan Illston, issued a two-week temporary restraining order against the administration’s reorganization plans under the February directive.
Unions, local governments, and advocacy groups filed the lawsuit to stop layoffs and agency cuts without congressional approval.
Judge Illston ruled that federal law does not permit such large-scale reorganizations without Congress’s cooperation and oversight.
She paused all activity under the Agency RIF and Reorganization Plans, commonly called ARRPs, pending further legal review.
DOGE executive order on agencies
The temporary order also stops any orders from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that reduce staff or programs.
DOGE, led by Elon Musk, has played a central role in implementing the executive order quietly and without public notice.
Plaintiffs argued DOGE acted “in secret” and refused to disclose its plans to workers, unions, Congress, or the public.
Judge Illston’s ruling represents one of the most significant legal setbacks for the Trump administration’s federal workforce agenda.
The order blocks reductions across key federal departments including Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, Labor, Treasury, and State.
It also halts cuts to agencies like Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Illston ordered the administration to submit all current layoff and reorganization plans to the court by Tuesday.
She also demanded the administration report its steps to comply with the restraining order by that same deadline.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) coordinated the agency cuts with DOGE.
Court filings show OMB and OPM instructed agencies to submit reduction plans in two stages this spring.
Unions say those plans would eliminate tens of thousands of federal jobs and close entire agency offices.
Plaintiffs claimed the cuts undermine agencies’ ability to meet legal responsibilities and serve the American public.
Illston rejected a Justice Department request to fast-track an appeal of her order to a higher court.
She stated no statute gives OPM, OMB, or DOGE the power to direct mass agency terminations or restructuring.
Justice Department attorney Eric Hamilton argued the court lacked jurisdiction to review the administration’s preliminary reduction plans.
He said the executive order is part of internal agency deliberation, not a final agency action.
Plaintiffs’ attorney Danielle Leonard blamed administration secrecy for the timing of the lawsuit.
She argued the government deliberately hid unlawful actions to avoid judicial review and public scrutiny.
Judge Illston questioned the administration’s refusal to respond to senators requesting details of the layoffs.
She emphasized the court’s role in ensuring executive power stays within legal boundaries.
Democracy Forward President Skye Perryman welcomed the decision, calling it a “victory for accountability and the rule of law.”
CNN reached out to the White House for comment but received no immediate response.
This case may ultimately reach the Supreme Court if the administration pursues an appeal in the coming days.
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