A federal judge in California ordered the retraction of the memos. He suggested, but did not order, that the layoffs be stopped.

A federal judge ruled Thursday the Trump administration’s push to fire newer government workers en masse is likely illegal, according to multiple reports —the latest in a string of court rulings involving Trump and cost-cutting czar Elon Musk’s sweeping changes across the federal government.

The order by Judge William Alsup, who called the OPM directive "illegal," does not reinstate any recently dismissed government employees, but it could affect future attempts at firings.