The Supreme Court handed President Donald Trump a major legal win on Tuesday. It allowed his administration to move forward with sweeping plans to reduce the size of the federal government through large-scale layoffs and agency downsizing.
In an 8-1 decision, the justices overturned a lower court injunction that had blocked Trump’s February 13 executive order. The order calls for “large-scale reductions in force” across numerous federal agencies.
The unsigned opinion stated the government is “likely to succeed” in proving the order is lawful. The Court granted a stay, effectively greenlighting the administration’s efforts.
The ruling overrides a May 9 decision by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston. Illston is an appointee of former President Bill Clinton. She had argued that Trump’s plan posed an “urgent threat” to critical public services.
Her ruling had temporarily halted mass layoffs at agencies including the Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Labor, State, Treasury, Veterans Affairs, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Several other offices were affected as well.
While the Supreme Court explained it was not ruling on the legality of any specific reduction plan, it made clear that Judge Illston’s decision was premature. Justice Sonia Sotomayor joined the majority but added a cautionary note. She said future downsizing efforts must still follow congressional mandates.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the lone dissenter. She warned that Trump’s actions could lead to the dismantling of much of the federal government “as Congress has created it.”
The legal battle began after labor unions and advocacy groups sued the administration. They claimed Trump’s order bypassed Congress and would cause irreversible harm to key programs.
They argued that once layoffs begin, “there will be no way to unscramble that egg.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the decision. She wrote on X, “Today, the Supreme Court stopped lawless lower courts from restricting President Trump’s authority over federal personnel — another Supreme Court victory thanks to DOJ attorneys.”
“Now, federal agencies can become more efficient than ever before,” she added.
Trump’s executive order directs agency heads to prepare for major staffing cuts. It requires a 4-to-1 attrition rate. That means agencies may hire only one worker for every four who leave.
The order builds on a January 20 presidential memorandum. That earlier document imposed a hiring freeze across the federal government.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has led the downsizing initiative. The agency was previously run by billionaire Elon Musk.
With the Court’s decision, the Trump administration can now move full speed ahead. Supporters say the plan is long overdue after decades of unchecked government growth.