Massive Coalition Asking for Injunction in Pivotal Case 

San Francisco, CA – The coalition of nationwide labor unions, non-profit organizations, and cities and counties in California, Illinois, Maryland, Texas, and Washington to block the Trump administration’s unlawful reorganization of the federal government filed an important update this week, seeking a preliminary injunction and adding the Peace Corps as a defendant in the case. 

The case, AFGE v. Trump, argues that the Trump administration’s unlawful reorganization of the federal government, which was launched without legislative authority, violates the Constitution’s fundamental separation of powers principles. A judge issued a temporary restraining order on May 9, temporarily blocking the administration’s actions, and this week’s filings include updates and developments since the motion for a temporary restraining order was originally filed, as well as a motion seeking a preliminary injunction that would stop layoffs and maintain the status quo while the court considers the matter. 

“The Trump administration’s unlawful attempt to reorganize the federal government has thrown agencies into chaos, disrupting critical services provided across our nation and harming the millions of people who rely on those programs. The growing list of plaintiffs in this case speaks to the breadth and importance of stopping this unlawful reorganization,” said Democracy Forward Legal Director Elena Goldstein. “We are asking the court to issue an injunction that will stop these disastrous administration efforts while the case continues.”

This week’s new filings additionally add the Peace Corps as a defendant and seek to stop the implementation of the administration’s reorganization plan at the independent agency. On May 9, 2025, public reports revealed that the Peace Corps is poised to “reduce its global staff by 25 percent, potentially closing some of its 60 international posts,” and cutting its Washington, D.C. headquarters staffing even more drastically, terminating anywhere from 50 to 80% of existing staff. In addition to impacts to the agency’s mission abroad, these cuts would drastically reduce the amount of people who could work and train in vital areas to join the U.S. workforce upon returning from service. 

The coalition includes the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and four AFGE locals; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); SEIU and SEIU Locals 521, 1000, 1021; Alliance for Retired Americans; American Geophysical Union; American Public Health Association; Center for Taxpayer Rights; Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks; Common Defense; Main Street Alliance; NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council); Northeast Organic Farming Association Inc.; VoteVets; Western Watersheds Project; City and County of San Francisco, California; County of Santa Clara, California; City of Chicago, Illinois; City of Baltimore, Maryland; Harris County, Texas; and King County, Washington.

The coalition is represented by lead co-counsel Democracy Forward and Altshuler Berzon LLP, Protect Democracy, Public Rights Project, and Democracy Defenders Fund. 

Please find the amended complaint here, and the memo in support of a preliminary injunction here. 

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Democracy Forward is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.