The U.S. Department of Agriculture's sweeping reorganization plan, announced in March, would relocate the Forest Service's headquarters to Salt Lake City, close 23 research facilities and all nine regional offices, and cut the workforce by 23%—a move critics called a "RIF in disguise" despite the secretary's public assurances that the restructuring did not involve reductions in force.
A coalition including the American Geophysical Union, AFSCME, and other groups sued, arguing the closures violated appropriations law. Judge Vince Chhabria agreed, writing that Congress had not contemplated using appropriated funds to shut down offices or relocate employees, and that the plan risked disrupting programs such as SNAP and wildfire response.
The preliminary injunction maintains the status quo until at least December 11. However, the judge noted the relief may be short-lived: the applicable appropriations statutes expire in less than two months, so Congress could later choose to fund the restructuring. Until then, the USDA cannot move forward with the closures or relocations.