A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration's attempt to terminate collective bargaining rights for a large portion of the federal workforce. The judge found key aspects of Trump's executive order, which aimed to allow more than a dozen federal agencies to end collective bargaining with unions, to be unlawful. This executive order was part of Trump's broader strategy to overhaul the federal workforce by targeting employees whose work involves national security. The National Treasury Employees Union filed a lawsuit against the order, arguing it contradicts existing laws designed to support collective bargaining. The judge expressed skepticism about the administration's motives, questioning whether the order was politically motivated to undermine unions opposed to Trump's agenda rather than genuinely focused on national security concerns.

US District Court Judge Paul Friedman's injunction halts the Trump administration's plan to end collective bargaining rights for a significant portion of federal workers, finding a critical part of the executive order unlawful.

The order, signed in late March by President Trump, targeted federal employees involved in national security, affecting departments like State, Defense, Justice, Health and Human Services, and agencies such as the CDC and FCC.

The National Treasury Employees Union quickly challenged the executive order, claiming it conflicts with Congressional laws promoting and strengthening federal workforce bargaining rights.

During a hearing, Paras Shah from NTEU argued the order's real objectives were to make firing employees easier and to retaliate against unions opposing Trump's policies.

Judge Friedman questioned Trump's motives, suggesting the order was selectively punitive against those opposing him, while the Justice Department argued it was necessary for implementing national security policies.

The administration's justification that specific agencies prioritize national security was contested by the judge, highlighting agencies like NIH and FEMA, which do not primarily focus on national security.

The outcome of the legal challenge underscores tensions between the administration's goals to streamline federal operations and the legal protections afforded to unionized workers.