Supreme Court paves way for Trump mass firings of federal workers
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A coalition of labour unions, non-profit groups and others had sued the Trump administration, arguing that it had exceeded its authority by ordering mass firings and agency reforms without congressional approval.
PHOTO: TRINEY L.CROSS/NYTIMES
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WASHINGTON – The US Supreme Court cleared the way on July 8 for President Donald Trump to begin carrying out mass firings of federal workers.
The court, in an unsigned order, lifted a block imposed by a lower court on Mr Trump’s plans to potentially lay off tens of thousands of government employees.
US District Court Judge Susan Illston had paused the planned sweeping layoffs in May on the grounds that the moves required a green light from Congress.
A coalition of labour unions, non-profit groups and others had sued the Trump administration, arguing that it had exceeded its authority by ordering mass firings and agency reforms without congressional approval.
After returning to the White House in January, Mr Trump directed federal agencies to prepare sweeping workforce reduction plans
In a Feb 11 executive order, the Republican President called for a “critical transformation of the Federal bureaucracy” and directed agencies to cull workers not designated essential.
The Supreme Court said “the government is likely to succeed on its argument that the executive order and memorandum are lawful”.
But the justices said they were not taking a position at this point on the legality of specific agency reorganisation plans, which will continue to be the subject of legal battles.
“The plans themselves are not before this Court, at this stage, and we thus have no occasion to consider whether they can and will be carried out consistent with the constraints of law,” said Justice Sonia Sotomayor, one of three liberals on the top court.
“I join the court’s stay because it leaves the district court free to consider those questions,” Justice Sotomayor added.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, an appointee of former Democratic president Joe Biden, lodged the sole dissent among the nine justices on the court.
“For some reason, this court sees fit to step in now and release the President’s wrecking ball at the outset of this litigation,” Justice Jackson said.
“Under our Constitution, Congress has the power to establish administrative agencies and detail their functions.
“Thus, over the past century, presidents who have attempted to reorganise the federal government have first obtained authorisation from Congress to do so.
“While presidents possess some discretion to reduce federal employment, they may not fundamentally restructure the federal government all on their own.”
Mr Trump has moved to fire tens of thousands of government employees and slash programs – targeting diversity initiatives and eliminating the US humanitarian aid agency USAid and various other departments. AFP
