Trump Admin. Asks SCOTUS to Greenlight Mass Federal Layoffs

White House says judge’s pause on staffing cuts undermines executive authority.

The Supreme Court of the United States, via Tomasz Zielonka on Unsplash

The Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let it move forward with sweeping layoffs and agency reorganizations, despite ongoing legal challenges from unions, nonprofits, and municipalities.

The request came in a June 2 emergency filing from the Justice Department, asking the court to lift a federal judge’s injunction blocking job cuts at 22 federal agencies. (USA Today)

White House Says Congress Isn’t Needed

Solicitor General John Sauer wrote that the injunction “violates bedrock principles” of presidential authority, arguing that the president doesn’t need congressional permission to oversee staffing in the executive branch. (Newsweek)

“Every day that the preliminary injunction remains in effect,” he wrote, “a government-wide program to implement agency RIFs is being halted… wasting countless taxpayer dollars.” (Newsweek)

The mass reductions are part of President Trump’s February executive order directing agencies to cut duplicative roles, automate routine tasks, and close regional offices. The changes are being managed in coordination with the Department of Government Efficiency. (CBS News)

Critics Warn of Chaos and Service Cuts

Meanwhile, opponents of the move warn that the cuts could severely impact disaster relief, food safety, veterans services, and public health.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston sided with those critics, writing in a May 22 ruling that the executive order “far exceeds the president's supervisory powers” and that agencies “may not conduct large-scale reorganizations... in blatant disregard of Congress's mandates.” (CBS News, Reuters)

The Supreme Court has asked challengers to respond by June 9.

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