Internal NFFE News
May 23, 2025
Late Thursday night, the U.S. District Court for Northern California issued an injunction that halts the Trump Administration from implementing large-scale reductions in force (RIFs) at most federal agencies. The order extends and replaces the court’s original temporary restraining order that expired yesterday.
The court found the plaintiffs, which include multiple federal sector unions, local governments, and nonprofits, are likely to succeed based on the merits of their claims challenging Executive Order 14210 and the Trump Administration’s RIF directives. The court argued the RIF plans were ordered by the White House, not independently directed by agencies, thus violating the separation of powers.
As a result of the court opinion, the Trump Administration is indefinitely barred from implementing large-scale RIFs and agency reorganizations during ongoing litigation of the case. The court also found the plaintiffs had legal standing to bring forth the case based on job loss, diversion of resources, and disrupted public services.
The order applies to the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Treasury, Transportation and Veterans Affairs, in addition to OMB, OPM, DOGE, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, the Environmental Protection Agency, the General Services Administration, the National Labor Relations Board, the National Science Foundation, the Small Business Administration and the Social Security Administration.
“This is yet another favorable decision for labor unions challenging the Trump Administration’s careless attacks on federal workers and our public services,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. “The President directing mass layoffs is dangerous and unlawful, and the courts agree. NFFE and our allies are confident the rule of law will prevail, and these reckless actions by the President will continue to be shut down.”