A coalition comprising labor unions, nonprofits, and local governments, including Chicago, Baltimore, and Harris County, Texas, has initiated a significant legal challenge against President Trump’s extensive restructuring of the federal government.
The lawsuit, submitted late on Monday, claims that the actions undertaken by President Trump, Elon Musk, and leaders of nearly two dozen federal agencies to substantially reduce the federal workforce are unconstitutional, as Congress has not sanctioned these measures.
According to the lawsuit, federal agencies are purportedly acting under the guidance of President Trump, through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Agency heads have reportedly stated they are reorganizing, eliminating programs, and reducing jobs based on directives from the President and instructions from DOGE.
The plaintiffs include unions and nonprofits previously involved in litigation against the Trump administration concerning the mass termination of probationary employees. In that case, a U.S. District Judge ordered the reinstatement of over 16,000 dismissed workers, citing illegal actions by the OPM. However, the Supreme Court later vacated this reinstatement order without yet determining the legality of the firings.
The current complaint extends further, asserting that Trump’s executive order issued on February 11th, labeled “Implementing the President’s Department of Government Efficiency Workforce Optimization Initiative,” along with subsequent implementation actions, oversteps Congress’ constitutional authority.
The legal argument emphasizes historical precedents, stating that federal agencies are established by Congress, not the President, who lacks the authority for such substantial transformations. Despite this, Congress, under Republican leadership allied with Trump, has largely remained unresponsive as the administration continues to dismiss federal workers and close facilities.
President Trump has promoted these actions as a form of accountability, suggesting the 2024 election provided a mandate to eradicate waste and inefficiency within the federal government.
Claiming significant damage, the plaintiffs are seeking judicial intervention to annul Trump’s executive order and related memos from the OMB and OPM. They also aim to nullify agencies’ “reduction in force” plans, asserting that the rapid timeline mandated by the administration precludes adherence to statutory and regulatory standards.
The lawsuit specifically targets Elon Musk’s DOGE for placing representatives in federal agencies to manage workforce downsizing, criticizing its lack of statutory authority compared to the OMB and OPM. The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.