Supreme Court authorizes Trump’s executive order authorizing large-scale federal reductions

By: D. D. Reese
Published July 13, 2025

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that President Trump’s executive order authorizing large-scale reductions in the federal workforce may move forward, clearing the way for one of the most significant overhauls of the civil service system in decades.

In a 5 to 4 decision issued on July 10, the Court upheld the legality of Executive Order 14178, which was signed earlier this year and directs federal agencies to eliminate or restructure certain positions deemed redundant or outside the scope of core mission objectives. The order also streamlines the process for removing underperforming employees and revises longstanding job protections.

Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts stated that the order falls within the president’s constitutional authority to manage the executive branch. “While Congress establishes the civil service, the President retains discretion in directing agency operations, including workforce optimization measures,” Roberts wrote.

The ruling overturns lower court decisions that had blocked implementation of key portions of the executive order, particularly those involving expedited terminations and the reclassification of some roles as “at-will” positions. Plaintiffs, including several federal employee unions, argued that the order violated civil service protections and labor agreements in place under the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978.

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned that the ruling could erode long-standing safeguards for federal workers and politicize the civil service. “Today’s decision allows for a sweeping redefinition of public service employment without adequate legislative oversight,” she wrote.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) responded to the ruling by confirming that agencies have already submitted initial workforce realignment plans. Officials estimate that approximately 15% of federal jobs could be affected in the next 18 months through a combination of attrition, early retirement offers, and direct terminations.

Supporters of the executive order say it will reduce bureaucracy, improve accountability, and save taxpayer money. Critics, including labor organizations and some bipartisan lawmakers, argue that it may discourage public service careers and undermine the institutional knowledge of federal agencies.

The White House released a statement following the decision, calling it “a victory for American efficiency and common sense” and emphasizing that agencies will have flexibility to retain critical roles while trimming outdated functions.

Federal employee unions are now considering further legal action, possibly at the administrative or agency level, and have pledged to advocate for legislative protections in Congress to counteract elements of the order.

This ruling marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over the size and role of the federal workforce, with implications for labor relations, agency operations, and the broader relationship between the executive branch and career civil servants.