On February 11, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order planning "large scale" reductions in the workforce of the United States federal government and forcing federal agencies—with the exception of those involved in law and immigration enforcement—to receive approval from a Department of Government Efficiency official to hire candidates.[1]
The plaintiffs accused the Trump administration of violating the separation of powers under the United States Constitution.[5] If the Court rules that the president may institute reductions in force, the plaintiffs must go through the Merit Systems Protection Board.[6] On May 9, Judge Susan Illston granted a two-week[7] restraining order hours after an emergency hearing, temporarily blocking the Trump administration's efforts to lay off employees and close programs.[4] Lawyers for the federal government argued that a temporary restraining order was too broad[6] and that the plaintiffs lacked timeliness.[7] Illston disagreed with the federal government in her order, finding that the board had an insufficient number of members to issue decisions and that the federal government had not disclosed its plans to Congress or the plaintiffs.[8]
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