A federal judge said Wednesday the Justice Department has “a real problem on the merits” defending its hollowing out of its “peacemakers” unit, meaning it could eventually be found to be an illegal closure of the civil rights-era agency without congressional approval.
But despite the lawsuit appearing strong on the merits, Judge Indira Talwani of the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts said she’s unlikely to halt the Oct. 31 terminations at the Community Relations Service because they won’t cause the type irreparable harm required for a temporary restraining order.
The community organizations behind the lawsuit, including groups ...