District Court Blocks Federal Workforce Order
A federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) blocking an executive order by President Donald Trump that aimed to implement large-scale reductions in the federal workforce. The judge found that the order likely exceeded the president’s authority.
The case focuses on whether Executive Order 14210 (“the EO”) issued on Feb. 14 and launched the Department of Government Efficiency Workforce Optimization Initiative — violated the separation of powers by attempting to downsize federal agencies without approval from Congress.
Shortly after President Trump issued the EO, the directors of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sent a memo to agency heads instructing them to submit Agency RIF and Reorganization Plans to OMB and OPM for review and approval, to be carried out in phases.
The court explained that a TRO is used to maintain the current situation and prevent serious harm before a full hearing on a preliminary injunction can take place. In granting the TRO, the judge acknowledged that while the president has authority to propose changes within the executive branch, major workforce reorganizations must follow legal procedures and involve Congress.
The next step is a preliminary injunction hearing, scheduled for May 22, 2025.
An organization run by AI is not a futuristic concept. Such technology is already a part of many workplaces and will continue to shape the labor market and HR. Here's how employers and employees can successfully manage generative AI and other AI-powered systems.
Related Content
HR must always include human intelligence and oversight of AI in decision-making in hiring and firing, a legal expert said at SHRM24. She added that HR can ensure compliance by meeting the strictest AI standards, which will be in Colorado’s upcoming AI law.
The proliferation of artificial intelligence in the workplace, and the ensuing expected increase in productivity and efficiency, could help usher in the four-day workweek, some experts predict.
Learn how Marsh McLennan successfully boosts staff well-being with digital tools, improving productivity and work satisfaction for more than 20,000 employees.