A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to temporarily halt mass layoffs at the Consumer Financial Protections Bureau after an appeals court had previously narrowed an earlier injunction.

The administration cast the threat by the judge, James E. Boasberg, to open criminal contempt proceedings as another salvo in an increasingly bitter battle between the White House and the courts.

U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, who handed the AP a victory last week, said it's too soon to say President Trump is violating his order, as the AP suggests.