Judge blocks mass layoffs

A California judge has blocked US President Donald Trump's plans for mass layoffs for two weeks, the New York Times reported.

In Friday's ruling, Judge Susan Illston ordered the government to halt mass layoffs and efforts to close offices and programs, which she said were illegal without congressional authorization.

To “enact large-scale reforms of federal agencies, any president must enlist the help” of Congress, Illston wrote in a 42-page order.

Unions and organizations supporting the process argue that the President does not have the authority to make such decisions without input from the legislature.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration laid off thousands of probationary employees, but at this stage, hundreds of thousands of civil service job cuts are expected.

In early April, the Department of Health and Human Services laid off 10,000 employees.