Among the designated departments are, among others, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Transport. The overarching authorities OMB and OPM, which deal with administration and personnel for the federal state apparatus, are prevented from making cutbacks during the period.
Behind the lawsuit stands a broad coalition consisting of, among others, trade unions, cities, and aid organizations.
Judge Susan Illston in the Northern District of California announced the decision after a hastily convened court meeting on Friday.
Only hours later, Illston announced that the Trump administration's attempt to lay off employees and close various programs and offices threatens vital services, reports The New York Times.
"Such measures lie far outside the limits of any authority that Congress has granted OPM or OMB, and, as mentioned, has no statutory authority whatsoever", she writes.
The judge points out, among other things, that the savings can prevent emergency payments to farmers after natural disasters as well as safety inspections of mines.
In her decision, the judge also writes that the court believes that "the president will probably have to request cooperation with Congress to implement the changes he wants to make", according to NBC News.
The case continues on May 22, when the judge will hear more opinions in the case.
