A FEDERAL judge ruled Thursday that the Trump administration can continue its sweeping layoffs of federal employees, rejecting an attempt by labour unions to block the mass firings of government workers.
Reuters reported the unions had sought to halt the downsizing of the federal workforce, which includes approximately 2.3 million employees.
US District Judge Christopher Cooper in Washington, DC, acknowledged that President Trump's aggressive executive actions in his first month in office have caused significant disruption and chaos across American society. However, he stated that he likely does not have the authority to determine whether the firing of tens of thousands of federal workers is legal.
Cooper indicated that the unions would need to bring their complaints before the Federal Labor Relations Authority, an agency that handles disputes between federal agencies and labour unions representing federal workers. This follows a controversial decision by Trump to dismiss the Democratic chair of the three-member panel, who has since filed a lawsuit seeking reinstatement.
"Federal district judges must base their decisions on the law and precedents, regardless of the parties involved or the impact of their rulings on ordinary citizens," Cooper wrote in his decision.
The judge’s refusal to block the firings marks a victory for the Trump administration as it moves forward with efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce, which the president has characterized as bloated and inefficient.
The White House and the US Department of Justice did not respond to requests for comment on the ruling. However, Doreen Greenwald, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, called the decision a temporary setback, asserting that the union would continue to challenge the administration’s actions in court. She accused the administration of bypassing Congress, which holds the exclusive power to establish and oversee federal agencies.
The lawsuit, filed last week, targets eight federal agencies—including the Department of Defense, Department of Health and Human Services, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and Department of Veterans Affairs—that are involved in firing thousands of employees and offering voluntary buyouts to workers who resign. The unions argue that these actions violate the separation of powers, as they undermine Congress’s constitutional authority to control government spending and manage federal agencies.
The judge's ruling adds to a series of setbacks faced by unions seeking to block Trump’s initiatives to downsize the federal bureaucracy. At least two other courts have dismissed union lawsuits, citing the lack of legal standing because the unions could not prove they were directly harmed by the mass layoffs and other measures.
In a separate move, President Trump appointed Tesla CEO Elon Musk to head the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a body tasked with overhauling federal agencies by cutting thousands of jobs and dismantling government programs. Federal agencies have been instructed to collaborate with DOGE to identify employees who can be laid off.
The termination of federal employees began last week, primarily targeting newer hires who were still on probation. Agencies like the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Education, and the Small Business Administration are among those implementing layoffs.
The unions argue that efforts to shrink the federal workforce through DOGE violate the constitutional principle of separation of powers by undermining Congress’s role in funding and overseeing federal agencies. Additionally, the unions claim that the firings and buyouts will result in a significant loss of revenue from dues-paying members, as many union members either retire or are let go.
Under federal law, most civil service employees can only be fired for poor performance or misconduct, with established procedures for due process and appeals. However, the probationary employees affected by last week’s layoffs have fewer legal protections. – February 21, 2025
