President Donald Trump has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block a lower court ruling that directed the White House to reinstate over 16,000 probationary federal workers who were dismissed as part of the administration’s effort to reduce government spending. A California judge had earlier ordered the reinstatement, citing the lack of proper grounds for their dismissal.
Separation of Powers Concerns
In a legal filing, Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris argued that the court’s reinstatement order undermined the separation of powers. She emphasized that a single district court was taking over the executive branch’s authority to manage personnel, calling the order “an extraordinary violation of the constitutional structure.” Harris stated, “This Court should stop the ongoing assault on the constitutional structure before further damage is wrought.”
Judicial Pushback Against Trump Policies
The Trump administration has faced numerous legal challenges, with district courts issuing over 40 injunctions in just two months since Inauguration Day. This stands in stark contrast to the 14 universal injunctions issued during President Joe Biden’s first three years in office.
Setback in Privacy Case
In a separate legal setback, a Maryland federal judge barred senior officials from the Education Department and the Office of Personnel Management from sharing sensitive documents with Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) while a privacy lawsuit remains ongoing. Musk, an influential billionaire, has led Trump’s aggressive cost-cutting initiative through DOGE.
Uncertain Future for Federal Workers
The Supreme Court’s decision will likely have far-reaching implications for the 16,000 workers and the administration’s ability to reshape the federal workforce.
