California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the case of American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, et al. v. Trump. The brief supports a request for a temporary restraining order to stop what is described as illegal mass firings by the Trump Administration across federal agencies.
Attorney General Bonta stated, "The illegal ransacking of federal agencies and the mass firing of federal workers that make these agencies run has sown tremendous chaos, instilled distrust among the American people, and caused deep harm to our country." He emphasized the negative impact on states which have to allocate significant resources to prepare for potential agency closures. Bonta urged the court to put an immediate end to these actions.
The attorneys general argue that the Trump Administration is exceeding its authority by dismantling federal agencies without Congressional approval and failing to use funds appropriated by Congress. They warn that these layoffs disrupt state functions and pose risks to citizens' health and safety.
The brief highlights examples where federal statutes require collaboration between federal and state entities. These include efforts by the United States Geological Survey, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Attorney General Bonta has actively opposed what he views as unlawful attempts by the Trump Administration to weaken federal government structures through mass firings. Recently, he filed a lawsuit against the administration challenging the dismissal of approximately 10,000 full-time HHS employees and other restructuring actions within HHS.
Bonta's legal actions extend beyond this case; he has submitted briefs in lawsuits contesting changes at various federal agencies such as the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau and Social Security Administration that allegedly burden state responsibilities or impair service delivery.
In this latest action, Attorney General Bonta is joined by his counterparts from Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont along with the District of Columbia.
A copy of the brief can be accessed online.