Federal Judge Blocks USDA Reorganization, Ruling Agency Cannot Repurpose Congressional Funds to Close Offices or Relocate Staff
A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the U.S. Department of Agriculture from proceeding with its planned agency reorganization, in another legal setback for President Donald Trump's sweeping overhaul of the executive branch, Reuters reported on October 14.
U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria of the Northern District of California halted reorganization efforts at several USDA agencies, including the Agricultural Research Service, the Forest Service and the Food and Nutrition Service. Chhabria wrote that the department was "reprogramming" congressional funds — using money for a different purpose than it was intended. "Congress did not contemplate USDA using its appropriated funds to shut down offices or relocate employees," he wrote.
The reorganization plan sought to move about 2,600 employees out of the Washington region and to consolidate agency offices across the country. Unions sued to block the effort, in part because employees warned that wide-scale departures risked programs involving trade, foreign aid and nutrition.
A USDA spokesperson said, "The Department is reviewing the Judge's decision and will file its response with the Court." Patrick Moran, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said in a statement that the administration's attempt to gut the agency was "blatantly illegal" and that the union was thankful the court had stopped it, for now, from proceeding with what he called a reckless plan.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
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