The judge temporarily blocks Trump’s plans for mass layoffs and programs closings

On Friday, a federal judge called for a two -week break in the Trump administration plans, prohibiting two dozen agencies from moving forward with the largest phase of the president’s reduction efforts, which, according to the judge, was illegal without the authorization of the Congress.

Of all the proceedings disputing President Trump’s vision to considerably reduce the form and function of the federal government, it is ready to have the widest effect to date. Most agencies have not yet announced their workforce reduction plans, but government employees are looking forward to the announcements that have been expected any day for weeks now.

Friday after an emergency hearing, judge Susan Illston of the Federal District Court for the North District of California ordered the government to suspend mass dismissals as well as efforts to stop offices and programs.

The congress has implemented a specific process so that the federal government is reorganizing. The unions and organizations behind the trial argued that the president does not have the power to make these decisions without the legislative power.

“It is the prerogative of presidents to continue new political priorities and to print their stamps on the federal government,” wrote Illston in a 42 -page order. “But to carry out a large-scale revision of federal agencies, any president must request the help of his branch and co-equal partner, the congress.”

Although the unions and other organizations have continued the federal government about other staff actions, in particular by dismissing the thousands of probationary workers without discrimination earlier this year, this is the first time that such a large coalition has met to challenge the actions of the administration. The complainants of the ambitious trial included unions, non -profit organizations and six cities and counties – including Baltimore, Chicago, San Francisco and Harris County, Texas, which houses Houston.