The Trump administration has appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking intervention against a lower court’s decision forcing it to reinstate thousands of fired probationary federal workers.
Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris filed an emergency request on March 24, requesting the Supreme Court to issue an administrative stay to prevent further disruption of government operations.
The battle stems from a ruling by Northern District Senior District Judge William Alsup, a Clinton appointee, who ordered the reinstatement of over 16,000 probationary employees.
The administration argues that this order unjustly allows the judicial branch to seize control of the executive’s authority to manage its workforce. Harris warned that this ruling “let third parties hijack the employment relationship between the federal government and its workforce.”
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which previously denied the administration’s request for a stay, also had its share of disagreement.
Judge Bridget Shelton Bade dissented from her colleagues, stressing her support for a partial stay on the reinstatement order. The administration’s brief sharply criticized the lower court’s decision, stating it violates the separation of powers and undermines the Executive Branch’s authority.
“This Court should stop the ongoing assault on the constitutional structure before further damage is wrought,” Harris declared, warning of chaos resulting from district courts issuing orders that disrupt the government’s efforts to manage its workforce.
The administration’s plea to the Supreme Court isn’t the first of its kind.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court declined to block another order requiring the administration to pay out $2 billion in foreign aid.
That decision led Justice Samuel Alito to issue a scathing dissent, saying he was “stunned” by the court’s inaction.
Alito’s concern echoed a broader sentiment of frustration within the administration over lower courts’ expanding authority.
The ongoing battle highlights the broader legal war between the Trump administration and activist judges determined to obstruct its agenda.
As the administration continues to fight back, all eyes are on the Supreme Court to see whether it will step in to restore executive authority and halt what the administration describes as a reckless power grab.