A federal judge in Washington has denied attempts to block former President Donald Trump’s mass firings of government employees, allowing thousands of layoffs to proceed. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled Thursday that unions representing affected workers must resolve disputes through federal employment protocols rather than emergency injunctions.
Cooper, an Obama appointee, acknowledged the executive actions under Trump caused ‘disruption and even chaos’ but emphasized judicial impartiality.
‘Judges are duty-bound to apply the law evenly, regardless of litigants or repercussions,’he wrote. The decision intensifies debates over presidential authority versus congressional oversight.
Over 80 lawsuits challenge Trump’s policies, including this case. Unions argue the layoffs violate:
- Congress’s authority to manage agency budgets
- Federal worker protections in layoff processes
Administration lawyers claimed insufficient evidence of ‘irreparable harm’ to justify blocking firings. Doreen Greenwald of the National Treasury Employees’ Union countered: ‘Federal employees will challenge these unlawful attacks in court.’
With thousands already dismissed, critics warn of weakened public services and precedent-setting executive overreach. Legal experts predict prolonged battles as unions prepare appeals.
