The Supreme Court’s June 27 decision to curtail the use of nationwide injunctions may open the door for federal agencies to resume some workforce reductions—but for now, existing court orders blocking mass layoffs remain firmly in place. The ruling limits judges’ authority to issue broad injunctions that halt federal policies nationwide, a power that has been used repeatedly in recent years to block presidential directives across administrations. While the decision could shift the legal balance in favor of the executive branch, it stopped short of overriding current preliminary injunctions, including those affecting planned reductions at the Pentagon and other agencies.
At the heart of the legal limbo is a crucial footnote in the opinion, which left intact the authority of courts under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) to vacate agency actions. That means current rulings halting large-scale reductions in force—such as lawsuits brought by unions and states opposing layoffs across 22 agencies and within the Education Department—are not immediately nullified. For now, employees who had received notices remain on the rolls, and in some cases, reinstatements ordered by judges are still in effect. As the administration presses ahead with appeals, agencies are poised to move quickly if the legal landscape shifts again. Until then, the pace and legality of federal layoffs remain tangled in ongoing court battles.
Layoffs: State Department
The State Department appears poised to issue sweeping reduction-in-force (RIF) notices, potentially affecting nearly 1,900 employees, despite a federal court order currently barring such layoffs. While a spokesperson emphasized the agency has “no plans to violate a court order,” multiple internal sources and union representatives say RIF letters are ready to go out as early as this week. The agency has already seen 1,600 staff depart through voluntary separation programs and is aiming for an 18% workforce cut—moves that officials argue are necessary to streamline operations, though unions say the process has been rushed and damaging.
At the heart of the controversy is a preliminary injunction issued by a federal judge that blocks agencies from implementing reorganization plans tied to a presidential executive order. The injunction specifically bars the State Department from moving forward with its planned layoffs, including those targeting both domestic civil service and Foreign Service positions. The legal uncertainty now hangs over the department as it awaits a possible emergency ruling from the Supreme Court, which could quickly change the status quo. In the meantime, employees and union leaders warn that confusion and disruption are already spreading across critical diplomatic operations.
Hiring: Davis Defense Group (DDG)
Charleston County is seeing a boost to its defense sector, as Davis Defense Group (DDG) announced plans to expand its North Charleston operations—bringing with it 30 new jobs. The company, which provides advanced mission support services tied to national security, is moving into a larger space at 2456 Remount Road to accommodate future growth and new contracts.
DDG’s expansion underscores its deepening ties with the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic and the U.S. Marine Corps, both of which it has supported locally for over five years. Company leadership and state officials alike highlighted the move as a vote of confidence in South Carolina’s skilled workforce and growing defense ecosystem. Operations in the new facility are already underway, with job opportunities currently available.
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Opportunity to Watch
The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) is stepping into a central role as the newly announced National Facilitator for the U.S. Navy’s Talent Pipeline Program (TPP), a workforce initiative aimed at strengthening the defense industrial base. AIA’s collaboration with the Navy will focus on equipping small and medium-sized suppliers with practical tools to attract, onboard, and retain talent—at no cost to participating companies.
Originally launched by the Navy, the TPP now serves the broader defense ecosystem by offering training, coaching, and shared insights to improve hiring and retention practices across the board. AIA President and CEO Eric Fanning called the initiative a “smart, scalable solution” to a growing workforce challenge, saying it positions the aerospace and defense sector to remain competitive and innovative. With workforce strain continuing to affect defense readiness, this partnership signals a proactive step toward building long-term talent infrastructure within the industry.
