Federal Judge's Ruling Sparks Concerns Over Justice Agency Job Cuts

A federal judge has authorized the Trump administration to advance with plans to dismiss nearly all employees of the Community Relations Service, a U.S. Department of Justice agency created to address racial and ethnic tensions within communities.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, appointed by President Barack Obama, declined to impose a temporary restraining order requested by civil rights groups that would prevent the termination of 14 out of the remaining 15 employees on the upcoming Friday. Even if the employees stayed, they'd be furloughed due to the government shutdown starting October 1.

The decision may not be the end for the plaintiffs, as the judge acknowledged their likely success in proving the job cuts unlawfully target the dissolution of the Community Relations Service, as only Congress has the authority to eliminate the agency.