AN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court’s order blocking the Trump administration’s efforts to significantly shrink the federal workforce, leaving sweeping job cuts temporarily frozen as legal challenges continue.
In a 2-1 decision, a panel from the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the downsizing—led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—could have far-reaching consequences, including disruptions to food safety oversight and veterans’ healthcare. The majority agreed that halting the cuts while a broader lawsuit unfolds is in the public interest.
The lone dissenter argued that President Donald Trump likely has the constitutional authority to reorganize the executive branch, and that existing processes allow affected workers to appeal.
The administration had requested an emergency stay of a ruling by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston of San Francisco, who initially blocked the workforce reduction in response to a lawsuit filed by labor unions, the cities of San Francisco and Chicago, and the nonprofit Democracy Forward.
Judge Illston, appointed by former President Bill Clinton, questioned whether the Trump administration had overstepped its legal bounds by bypassing Congress to execute broad cuts. Her ruling mandates that multiple agencies pause implementation of the February executive order and a follow-up memo issued by DOGE and the Office of Personnel Management.
Since the initiative began, tens of thousands of federal workers have been affected—either fired, placed on leave, or left through voluntary resignation programs. Though precise numbers remain unclear, estimates suggest at least 75,000 employees exited under deferred resignation agreements.
The Department of Justice has already appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, continuing a string of challenges aimed at reversing judicial blocks on key Trump administration initiatives. Despite the legal setbacks, Trump maintains that his administration has a mandate to radically reshape the federal government, entrusting DOGE—helmed by tech magnate Elon Musk—with driving that transformation.
