The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has requested the Supreme Court to halt the enforcement of a federal judge’s ruling ordering the rehiring of thousands of federal employees who were laid off as part of Trump’s efforts to drastically reduce the size of the federal government.
Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who was appointed head of the Government Efficiency Department, dismissed thousands of experienced workers with valuable knowledge and connections. These former employees are now in need of jobs.
Concerns have arisen that some disgruntled former officials might seek revenge by selling U.S. secrets to foreign governments.
In an emergency appeal filed today, the Trump administration argued that the ruling must be paused because the federal judge allegedly lacked the authority to order the rehiring of 16,000 dismissed employees.
The decision was made by federal judge William Alsup from San Francisco, who ruled that the layoffs were not conducted in accordance with federal law. He ordered the federal government to immediately send reemployment offers to the terminated workers.
