The Trump administration will have to produce documents detailing its reasoning for reorganizing federal agencies and slashing federal jobs, an appeals court ruled Friday.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined the federal government’s request to block a lower bench order requiring the production of its agency reductions in force and reorganization plans (ARRPs), as part of the discovery process in the consolidated case.
The ruling is part of an ongoing challenge led by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), alleging the changes initiated by President Donald Trump and swiftly carried out by federal agencies violated federal law.
The circumstances in this case did not warrant taking the unusual step of issuing a mandamus order, said Clinton-appointee Judge William Fletcher, writing the order for the court.
