A US federal appeals court has refused to lift a lower court’s injunction halting the Trump administration’s effort to shrink the federal workforce. The injunction, issued by Judge Susan Illston in response to a lawsuit from labor unions and cities, temporarily blocks the execution of directives tied to an executive order signed by Trump in February.

BulletsIn

• Appeals court lets Judge Susan Illston’s injunction remain in effect
• Trump admin sought emergency stay to continue workforce downsizing
• Cuts challenged by labor unions, cities like San Francisco and Chicago
• Judge ruled major federal workforce changes need Congress involvement
• Administration claimed directives were non-binding, but court disagreed
• Over 75,000 federal workers reportedly accepted buyout and resigned
• Deferred resignation program offered 8 months’ salary for early exits
• Critical roles like postal & military workers excluded from the plan
• DOGE (Dept of Government Efficiency), led by Elon Musk, executed cuts
• Over 20 DOGE staffers resigned in protest against dismantling of services