Federal Court Lifts Block on Trump's Union Order Amidst Controversy

A federal appeals court lifted an injunction blocking Donald Trump's executive order exempting certain federal agencies from union bargaining. The order, criticized for retaliating against unions, was defended by Trump's administration as non-retaliatory. The court's decision is pending further appeal, affecting numerous agencies including Defense and State.

A federal appeals court lifted a previous decision obstructing President Donald Trump's order that exempts numerous federal agencies from union negotiations.

The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned an injunction that had been secured by six unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). This injunction initially blocked 21 agencies from enacting Trump's March executive order, which aims to free agencies from negotiating obligations with unions.

Judge James Donato had previously halted the order, citing retaliation against unions critical of Trump. However, the appeals court disagreed, stating Trump's order expressed no such animus. AFGE's National President Everett Kelley remains optimistic despite the setback and plans to appeal further. The White House has not commented.

(With inputs from agencies.)