President Donald Trump’s administration has requested the Supreme Court to overturn a federal judge’s ruling that halted significant staffing cuts and agency restructuring. The Justice Department’s plea, filed on May 16, came in response to U.S. District Judge Susan Illston’s decision to block federal layoffs, also known as “reductions in force,” for a 14-day period following a legal challenge from unions, non-profits, and local governments. The administration’s initiative to downsize and reshape the federal government faced resistance from the judge, who deemed the executive branch’s actions as overreaching. The Justice Department criticized the judicial order for impeding the president’s authority to direct executive agencies in conducting large-scale personnel actions and for demanding the disclosure of privileged agency documents. The administration argued that the order restricts the executive branch’s ability to manage its workforce effectively. This legal battle underscores the ongoing struggle between the administration’s efforts to streamline government operations and the judiciary’s scrutiny over the extent of executive power in shaping federal agencies. The outcome of this case will have far-reaching implications for the administration’s agenda to reform the federal government’s structure and operations.