A federal judge has not yet issued a ruling after a hearing on Tuesday, where five federal workers’ unions sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the Trump administration from carrying out large-scale layoffs within the federal government. The unions, which represent hundreds of thousands of employees, argue that the administration’s efforts violate congressional authority and federal workforce regulations. The judge stated that a decision would be made “sooner than later.”
The lawsuit, filed last week by a coalition of five unions, is one of several legal challenges against the Department of Government Efficiency’s workforce reduction initiatives, which have been led by Elon Musk since his appointment by President Donald Trump. The unions claim that the administration’s move to significantly cut federal jobs, including a recently withdrawn deferred resignation offer affecting over two million employees, directly contradicts congressional authority over government employment and violates established procedures.
According to the lawsuit, the executive branch’s aggressive reduction of the federal workforce undermines Congress’s role in structuring and funding federal agencies. The unions argue that these layoffs will not only cause significant disruptions within government agencies but will also result in severe financial losses for labor unions, diminishing their collective bargaining power. The National Treasury Employees Union, in particular, stands to lose nearly half of its membership dues and worker representation.
The Department of Justice has countered these claims, arguing that any judicial order halting the layoffs would obstruct the President’s authority to manage the executive workforce in alignment with policy goals. Government lawyers maintain that the measures, including voluntary deferred resignations, probationary employee terminations, and formal reductions in force (RIFs), are within the President’s legal authority. They also dismissed the unions’ concerns over revenue loss and bargaining power as speculative and not a legal basis for intervention.
Since returning to office, President Trump has directed Musk to lead an extensive government downsizing effort, aimed at reducing wasteful spending, cutting redundant programs, and eliminating unnecessary contracts. Although the deferred resignation program was recently halted due to legal challenges, the administration has moved forward with layoffs, primarily targeting probationary employees who have been in federal service for one to two years and thus have fewer job protections.
Data from the Office of Personnel Management suggests that the first wave of layoffs could affect more than 200,000 recently hired federal employees. The broader workforce reduction initiative is expected to continue as the administration moves forward with its restructuring plans despite legal opposition.
