In a 6-3 decision along ideological lines, the Supreme Court paused a lower court order that had reinstated 1,400 Education Department employees laid off by the Trump's administration.

The move by the justices represents an expansion of executive power, allowing President Trump to dismantle the inner workings of a government department.

"The President must take care that the laws are faithfully executed, not set out to dismantle them," Sotomayor wrote.