The order issued by a federal judge in Boston also directs officials to reinstate thousands of fired employees.

In what could lead to a consequential Supreme Court decision, Myong J. Joun said it’s absurd to claim demolishing an agency improves its efficiency.

“The record abundantly reveals that Defendants’ true intention is to effectively dismantle the Department without an authorizing statute,” U.S. District Judge Myong Joun wrote, noting “the Department cannot be shut down without Congress’s approval.”