A federal judge in San Francisco has ruled that President Donald Trump’s administration must temporarily pause its government overhaul due to lack of authorization from Congress for large-scale staffing cuts and agency restructuring. The judge, Susan Illston, granted a 14-day restraining order against mass layoffs known as “reductions in force.” The ruling is a setback for the administration’s restructuring efforts led by Elon Musk. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The judge highlighted examples of widespread job terminations in various government agencies and scheduled a hearing for May 22 to further consider the case. Plaintiffs, including unions and non-profits, argue that the administration’s reorganization is causing chaos and disrupting essential services. The judge indicated that the plaintiffs have a strong case and are likely to succeed on some of their claims.
