DOJ Can Proceed With ‘Peacemakers’ Unit Downsizing for Now

Community groups can’t block the Justice Department from laying off nearly all the employees at its civil rights-era “peacemakers” agency because the move won’t cause irreparable harm, a federal judge said.

But the groups are ultimately likely to succeed on the merits, the judge said, meaning the downsizing could be reversed.

The lawsuit over the planned Oct. 31 reduction-in-force said the groups, which have relied on mediation and other services from DOJ’s Community Relations Service in the past, wouldn’t be able to turn to the government unit for help if they needed help in future disputes.

Judge Indira Talwani of ...