US judge temporarily blocks Trump plans for mass layoffs
CALIFORNIA : A US judge has temporarily blocked several federal agencies from proceeding with the mass layoffs of government workers ordered by President Donald Trump in February.
US district court Judge Susan Illston of California ordered a two-week pause on Friday, writing that the Trump administration's moves to slash the federal workforce likely required approval from congress.
'The court holds the president likely must request congressional cooperation to order the changes he seeks, and thus issues a temporary restraining order to pause large-scale reductions in force in the meantime,' Illston wrote in the order.
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has directed federal agencies to prepare sweeping workforce reduction plans as part of wider efforts by the Elon Musk-headed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to downsize the federal government.
In a Feb 11 executive order, Trump called for a 'critical transformation of the federal bureaucracy' and directed agencies to cull workers who are not designated essential.
A coalition of labour unions, non-profit groups and six city and county governments last week sued Trump, DOGE and federal agencies including the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), arguing that they had exceeded their authority by implementing the mass layoffs without congressional go-ahead.
'The Trump administration's unlawful attempt to reorganise the federal government has thrown agencies into chaos, disrupting critical services provided across our nation,' the plaintiffs, led by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), said in a joint statement, hailing the judge's temporary freeze.
'Each of us represents communities deeply invested in the efficiency of the federal government – laying off federal employees and reorganizing government functions haphazardly does not achieve that,' it added.
Trump has rapidly moved to fire thousands of government employees this year and slash programmes – targeting the US humanitarian aid agency USAID, diversity initiatives across the government and various other offices.
But in several cases, judges have thwarted or held up his administration's signature policy initiatives, including on immigration and upending government spending.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Boeing posts smaller loss as jet deliveries rise
Wall Street closely tracks aircraft deliveries, because planemakers collect much of their payment when they hand over jets to customers. (Reuters pic) ARLINGTON COUNTY : Boeing reported a smaller second-quarter loss on Tuesday as the US planemaker ramped up jet production and deliveries, recovering from a quality and regulatory crisis and a major strike that halted most production last year. After years of grappling with quality issues and production delays on its flagship 737 MAX, Boeing has cautiously ramped up monthly output this year. In May, the company produced 38 737s. Production has been stable since then, according to the company. 'As we continue to execute our Safety & Quality Plan, there's more stability in our operations,' CEO Kelly Ortberg said in a letter to Boeing employees on Tuesday. The US Federal Aviation Administration had capped the production of Boeing's best selling 737 MAX jets following a mid-air panel blowout in a nearly new jet in January 2024. 'We plan to seek FAA approval to increase to rate 42 when our key performance indicators (KPIs) show that we're ready,' Ortberg added. It has delivered 206 737 MAX jets through the first half of the year. Wall Street closely tracks aircraft deliveries, because planemakers collect much of their payment when they hand over jets to customers. Boeing also increased 787 production at its plant in Charleston, South Carolina, from five aircraft a month to seven a month. Through the first half of the year, the planemaker has booked 668 orders, or 625 net orders after cancellations and conversions. An improvement in deliveries marks a pivotal step in Boeing's effort to rebound from years of production disruptions and crises that piled on debt, highlighting the urgency of accelerating output to restore financial stability. The planemaker posted a net loss of US$612 million, or 92 cents per share, for the quarter through June, compared with US$1.44 billion, or US$2.33 per share, a year earlier. However, the planemaker continues to face pressure from supply chain disruptions that have delayed production and limited its ability to meet surging aerospace demand. It posted a loss of nearly US$12 billion in 2024 due to challenges across its major business units including charges on its defense programs. It also remains exposed to US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, which could increase parts costs and further strain an already fragile supply chain.
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Netanyahu says he has nominated Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu (right) hands President Donald Trump a folder during a meeting in the Blue Room of the White House. (AP pic) WASHINGTON : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he has nominated Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, presenting the US president with a letter he sent to the prize committee. 'He's forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region after the other,' Netanyahu said at a dinner with Trump at the White House. Trump has received multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominations from supporters and loyal lawmakers over the years, and has made no secret of his irritation at missing out on the prestigious award. The Republican has complained that he had been overlooked by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for his mediating role in conflicts between India and Pakistan, as well as Serbia and Kosovo. He has also demanded credit for 'keeping peace' between Egypt and Ethiopia and brokering the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements aiming to normalise relations between Israel and several Arab nations. Trump campaigned for office as a 'peacemaker' who would use his negotiating skills to quickly end wars in Ukraine and Gaza, although both conflicts are still raging more than five months into his presidency.
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
US end of parcel tax relief threatens eBay, Etsy trade
Duty-free access for low-value parcels from China and Hong Kong ended in May, disrupting ecommerce flows for online retailers like Shein and Temu. (EPA Images pic) NEW YORK : Americans shopping for secondhand, vintage or handmade items on platforms like eBay and Etsy face steep customs duties on international purchases next month, potentially hurting trade on those peer-to-peer sites. In a surprise move late on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump ordered the removal of 'de minimis' duty-free treatment on parcels under US$800 from all countries, starting Aug 29 – bringing forward a change previously set for July 2027. The acceleration follows pressure from groups that argue the exemption facilitates fentanyl smuggling and has led to a flood of cheap products entering the US duty-free, undermining US retailers and manufacturers. Trump ended duty-free access for low-value parcels from China and Hong Kong at the start of May, disrupting ecommerce flows for online retailers like Shein and Temu. After asking for feedback on widening the removal of de minimis, some US businesses had spoken out against the policy. 'These exemptions are a powerful tool that helps small creators, artisans, and makers participate in and navigate cross-border trade,' Etsy's global head of public policy and advocacy Jeffrey Zubricki wrote in a submission to Customs and Border Protection in March. 'Many American Etsy sellers rely on de minimis to import and export products with key trading partners, sustaining their businesses and generating income to support their families.' The majority of Etsy's 5.6 million active sellers and nearly 90 million buyers are in the US. Etsy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday. eBay also urged the customs agency to reconsider, arguing that de minimis gives American consumers access to 'a global market to find value at lower prices, particularly for used goods and a unique, collectible inventory that is not available domestically'. In a results call on Wednesday, eBay CEO Jamie Iannone flagged the elimination of de minimis outside of China as a potential disruption that may impact revenue. eBay did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Goods shipped through the postal system will face one of two tariffs: either an 'ad valorem duty' equal to the effective tariff rate of the package's country of origin or, for six months, a specific tariff of US$80 to US$200 depending on the country of origin's tariff rate. It is the latest headache for small businesses grappling with hefty import tariffs imposed by Trump, driving up costs, forcing many to hike prices and fuelling concerns that Americans will be paying more for everyday goods. 'The complexity of doing business with the US has gone to levels nobody could have imagined,' said Andrew Wilson, deputy secretary general of the International Chamber of Commerce. He also questioned whether US authorities can handle the tariff collections, potentially leading to delays and backlogs. 'Is border trade equipped to manage the checks and duties collection? If not, what happens with customs backlogs? It's a huge additional burden from next month,' said Wilson.
