Another activist judge has undermined President Trump’s efforts to streamline government operations, as he interfered with Trump’s executive order aimed at dismantling collective bargaining rights for over a million federal employees.
San Francisco-based U.S. District Judge James Donato’s ruling represents yet another example of judicial overreach against presidential authority.
The decision halts President Trump’s executive order that sought to end collective bargaining with federal government unions for much of the civilian workforce, citing national security concerns.
The order aimed to address inefficiencies in government operations caused by union obstruction of agency management.
Still, Judge Donato sided with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and other unions that challenged the action.
The directive prevents 21 federal agencies from following Trump’s order until a trial is held, effectively maintaining the status quo that allows government unions to continue hampering efficient government operations.
This injunction applies to multiple federal agencies, including the Office of Personnel Management, the EPA, and various departments such as the Departments of State, Defense, and Education.
The White House had argued that the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 allows for such actions, stating the executive order was necessary because the current system “enables hostile Federal unions to obstruct agency management.”
Despite this reasonable position, Judge Donato ruled that Trump’s executive order was likely unlawful, claiming it targeted unions for their political positions.
“A claim of national security does not, of course, automatically negate the Constitution, particularly with respect to the First Amendment,” Judge Donato claimed.
The judge’s decision stands in contrast with a previous ruling by the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, which lifted a similar block on Trump’s order for another union.
This inconsistency in judicial decisions highlights the growing issue of forum shopping, where opponents of Trump’s policies seek out liberal courts that are likely to rule in their favor, rather than addressing the problems on their merits.
Union leaders were quick to celebrate this temporary victory.
AFGE National President Everett Kelley praised the ruling, claiming the executive order was retaliation against unions for advocating on behalf of federal workers.
The Trump administration can and should appeal Donato’s ruling to the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals.
Taxpayers deserve an efficient government that operates without unnecessary obstruction from entrenched union interests that have enjoyed special protections for over 60 years while contributing to government waste and inefficiency.
Although the unions claim that most workers affected by the order do not perform national security work, they conveniently overlook the fact that inefficient government operations across all departments can impact America’s security and economic well-being.
The executive order was a necessary step toward making government work for the American people rather than for entrenched special interests that consistently oppose conservative reforms.
