In February of this year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that called for "large-scale reductions in force" at many federal agencies.

Although lower courts initially blocked federal bureaucrats from being fired, the Supreme Court has since given Trump a greenlight. 

Supreme Court overturns temporary restraining order

As NPR reported, that move came in the form of an unsigned opinion which was released by America's highest judicial body last Tuesday.

It overturned a temporary restraining order (TRO) that had been promulgated in May by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston and later affirmed by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

"The President has the authority to seek changes to executive branch agencies, but he must do so in lawful ways and, in the case of large-scale reorganizations, with the cooperation of the legislative branch," Fox News quoted Illston as writing in her opinion.

"Many presidents have sought this cooperation before; many iterations of Congress have provided it," the Clinton appointee went on to insist.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson decried decision as "hubristic and senseless"

NPR noted that Tuesday's decision only addressed Illston' restraining order and did not look at the legality of Trump's executive order, which is being challenged by unions, nonprofit groups, and local governments.

That fact was highlighted by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who criticized her colleagues for allowing actions which may ultimately prove to be unlawful.

"For some reason, this Court sees fit to step in now and release the President's wrecking ball at the outset of this litigation," Jackson complained.

"In my view, this decision is not only truly unfortunate but also hubristic and senseless," the Supreme Court justice further complained.

State Department spokeswoman says order will be implemented "quickly"

The State Department is among those agencies which will be affected by Trump's executive order, and State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said it will be implemented.

"The Supreme Court decision has allowed us to commence, and that’s what we’re doing,"  The Hill quoted Bruce as telling reporters on Thursday.

Federal employees bracing after Supreme Court greenlights widespread layoffs https://t.co/iRfLO08mqc

— The Hill (@thehill) July 12, 2025

"It will happen quickly. This is not going to be an extended wait for people who are listening and watching in this building or fellow Americans at home and around the world," she continued.

"We understand that there has been a delay, not to our interests but because of the courts," the Trump administration official insisted.