The U.S. Supreme Court on July 8, 2025, lifted a lower court’s block on President Donald Trump’s executive order, allowing his administration to move forward with plans for significant federal workforce reductions.
The decision enables preparations for layoffs across multiple agencies, including the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, State, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs.
This ruling marks a step toward reshaping the federal bureaucracy, though specific layoff plans may still face legal challenges.
The Supreme Court’s unsigned order stated that the Trump administration was “likely to succeed” in defending the legality of its directives.
This ruling overturned a May decision by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston, who had temporarily halted the layoffs, arguing that Trump exceeded his authority by bypassing Congress.
The high court’s action aligns with its recent trend of supporting Trump’s executive initiatives, including immigration policies and other restructuring efforts.
However, the court clarified it was not ruling on the legality of specific agency layoff plans, leaving room for future challenges.
The decision has sparked varied reactions. The White House hailed it as a “definitive victory” for enhancing government efficiency.
Yet, two White House sources noted that additional legal hurdles could delay or alter the layoffs’ scope.
A coalition of unions, nonprofits, and local governments warned that the cuts could jeopardize critical public services, potentially leading to hundreds of thousands of job losses.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll from April showed 56% public support for downsizing, though divided sharply along party lines.
Led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, the administration has already reduced the federal workforce by 260,000 through firings, resignations, and retirements.
Agencies like the State Department, planning nearly 2,000 layoffs, are resuming reorganization efforts. Critics, including Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who dissented, argue the cuts risk destabilizing essential services. As legal battles continue, the scope and impact of Trump’s plans remain under scrutiny.