The US government, led by Donald Trump, today asked the Supreme Court to suspend the decision ordering the reinstatement of thousands of federal employees laid off in mass layoffs, with the aim of drastically reducing spending.

According to the international press, the emergency appeal argues that the judge cannot force the executive branch to rehire more than 16,000 probationary employees.

The California judge concluded that the layoffs did not follow federal law, and ordered that reinstatement offers be sent out while the process unfolds.

The appeal also calls for the highest court in the United States, which has a conservative majority, to rein in the growing number of federal judges who have been holding up President Donald Trump's comprehensive agenda.

"Only this Court can put an end to the usurpation of power between the branches," reads the appeal, quoted by the Associated Press (AP).

The country's federal judiciary has become ground zero for resistance to Trump, with the Republican-led Congress either supportive or largely silent.

Judges have ruled against the Trump administration more than three dozen times after finding violations of federal law.

The decisions range from changes in birthright citizenship to federal spending and transgender rights.

US District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco ruled that the layoffs were improperly directed by the Office of Personnel Management and its acting director.

The judge's decision came after a lawsuit was filed by a coalition of unions and non-profit organizations who argued that they would be affected by the workforce reduction.

Alsup, who was appointed by Democratic President Bill Clinton, expressed frustration with what he called the government's attempt to circumvent laws and regulations by firing probationary workers with fewer legal protections.

Attorney Norm Eisen, one of the lawyers representing the plaintiffs, vowed to defend the judge's decision. "Our coalition remains committed to ensuring that justice prevails for all affected probationary workers."

The federal government, on the other hand, said the sweeping order requiring the employees to be rehired went beyond the judge's legal authority.