Judge Blocks Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government

https://www.afscme.org/press/releases/2025/judge-blocks-unconstitutional-reorganization-of-federal-government

For Immediate Release
Friday, May 09, 2025
Contact: Nick Voutsinos
Email: nvoutsinos@afscme.org

Case Reflects Largest and Most Significant Challenge to President’s Authority to Remake Government without Congressional Approval

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California San Francisco Division today issued a temporary restraining order to block the Trump administration’s unlawful reorganization of the federal government. The coalition bringing the motion includes nationwide labor unions, non-profit organizations, and cities and counties in California, Illinois, Maryland, Texas, and Washington, and is represented by lead co-counsel Democracy Forward and Altshuler Berzon LLP, Protect Democracy, Public Rights Project, and Democracy Defenders Fund.

AFGE v. Trump argues that the Trump administration’s unlawful reorganization of the federal government, which is already underway without legislative authority, violates the Constitution’s fundamental separation of powers principles.

The coalition includes the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and four AFGE locals; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and SEIU Local 1000; Alliance for Retired Americans; American Geophysical Union; American Public Health Association; Center for Taxpayer Rights; Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks; Common Defense; Main Street Alliance; NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council); Northeast Organic Farming Association Inc.; VoteVets; Western Watersheds Project; City and County of San Francisco, California; County of Santa Clara, California; City of Chicago, Illinois; City of Baltimore, Maryland; Harris County, Texas; and King County, Washington.

“The Trump administration’s unlawful attempt to reorganize the federal government has thrown agencies into chaos, disrupting critical services provided across our nation. 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. We are gratified by the court’s decision today to pause these harmful actions while our case proceeds,” said the coalition.

Read the complaint here and the temporary restraining order here.

“Billionaires and anti-union extremists have launched a hostile takeover of government – unlawfully bypassing Congress to shut down and restructure agencies. These actions threaten the public services that AFSCME members provide at every level of government. We are pleased that the court issued a decision today to pause these devastating attacks and bring relief to public service workers and our communities as our case moves forward," said AFSCME President Lee Saunders.

AFSCME's 1.4 million members provide the vital services that make America happen. With members in communities across the nation, serving in hundreds of different occupations — from nurses to corrections officers, child care providers to sanitation workers — AFSCME advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and freedom and opportunity for all working families.

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American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO
1625 L Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036-5687
Telephone: (202) 429-1145
Fax: (202) 429-1120