By Leah Douglas
WASHINGTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) – A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the US Department of Agriculture from proceeding with its planned agency reorganization, in a blow to President Donald Trump’s sweeping overhaul of the executive branch.
The ruling from the District Court for the Northern District of California is a victory for unions that had sued to block the reorganization effort, in part because employees said it would weaken agency services.
• The order halts reorganization efforts at several USDA agencies, including the Agricultural Research Service, Forest Service, Food and Nutrition Administration, and others.
• Judge Vince Chhabria said the agency was “reprogramming” congressional funds for the reorganization, or 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,” Chhabria wrote.
• The agency’s reorganization effort has sought to move about 2,600 employees from the Washington region, as well as to consolidate agency offices across the country.
• Agency staff had warned that wide-scale employee departures because of the reorganization risked trade, foreign aid, nutrition and other programs.
• A USDA spokesperson said, “The Department is reviewing the Judge’s decision and will file its response with the Court.”
• “The administration’s attempt to gut this essential agency is blatantly illegal, and we’re thankful the court has stopped it, for now, from proceeding with a reckless plan,” said Patrick Moran, president of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, in a statement.
(Reporting by Leah Douglas in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
