The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), joined by a coalition of labor organizations, nonprofit groups, and local governments, filed suit against President Donald Trump and multiple federal agencies and agency heads. The plaintiffs challenge Executive Order 14210, which directed sweeping reductions in force (RIFs) and broad agency reorganizations without congressional authorization. They contend that the order and its implementing memoranda violate the Separation of Powers and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
The district court initially entered a temporary restraining order halting RIFs at more than a dozen federal agencies and permitting limited discovery. Following briefing and argument, the court issued a preliminary injunction, holding that plaintiffs were likely to succeed in showing that the President exceeded his constitutional and statutory authority. The government appealed, and the Ninth Circuit affirmed the injunction. The government then sought emergency relief from the Supreme Court, which granted a stay of the preliminary injunction pending appellate proceedings and possible certiorari. The Court reasoned that the executive order merely directed agencies to develop reorganization plans “consistent with applicable law,” while declining to reach the legality of specific agency RIF or reorganization plans. The Ninth Circuit vacated the injunction and remanded. Proceedings continue in the district court.
