On Monday, the Trump administration urged the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene and lift a court ruling that halted widespread layoffs and the restructuring of government agencies. This move is part of President Trump’s initiative to downsize and reorganize the federal government, according to Reuters.
The appeal from the Justice Department came after U.S. District Judge Susan Illston of San Francisco issued a ruling on May 22, siding with a coalition of unions, non-profit organizations, and local governments that challenged the planned cuts.
The dispute touches on several federal departments, including Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, State, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs.
The Justice Department stated in its filing that managing the workforce of federal agencies is a fundamental aspect of the presidency’s authority. “The Constitution does not create a presumption against the president exercising control over agency personnel, nor does he require special approval from Congress to utilize core Article II powers,” the filing noted, referencing the section of the Constitution that outlines presidential authority.
The Supreme Court has requested a response from the plaintiffs involved in the case by June 9.
In February, Trump instructed federal agencies to quickly prepare for significant layoffs as part of his restructuring efforts.
In her ruling, Judge Illston asserted that Trump exceeded his executive powers in ordering these reductions. “Historically, the president can broadly reorganize federal agencies only if Congress authorizes it,” she wrote.
Initially, on May 9, Illston restricted approximately 20 agencies from implementing large-scale layoffs for two weeks, and she ordered that employees who had been laid off be reinstated. Most of this relief was maintained in her subsequent ruling on May 22.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also rejected the Trump administration’s request to pause Illston’s decision in a 2-1 vote on May 30.
The 9th Circuit indicated that the administration failed to demonstrate that it would face irreparable harm if the judge’s order remained in effect and noted that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in their legal challenge.
“The executive order in question significantly surpasses the president’s supervisory powers under the Constitution,” the 9th Circuit noted, describing the administration’s actions as “an unprecedented attempt to restructure the federal government and its operations.”
Since returning to office in January, Trump’s administration has sought relief from the Supreme Court in a growing number of cases following lower court decisions that have obstructed various policies.
