SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration must immediately stop layoffs during the current government shutdown. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued the emergency order after agencies issued layoff notices as part of efforts to reduce the federal workforce. Illston criticized the administration's actions, noting a lack of proper decision-making and the significant human cost associated with such layoffs. The American Federation of Government Employees, alongside unions, alleged that these firings are intended as retaliation against workers and to pressure Congress, calling for a temporary restraining order to halt any further layoffs.
The order arrives three weeks into the shutdown, which began on October 1. Since then, Democratic lawmakers have insisted that any negotiations to reopen the government focus on their health care demands. Meanwhile, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated that he does not intend to negotiate with Democrats unless they first set aside these demands.
The Trump administration is currently maintaining military pay and pursuing immigration enforcement while implementing job cuts in health and education sectors—areas largely favored by Democrats. In total, the administration plans to terminate over 4,100 federal employees across eight agencies.
Labor unions maintain that these layoffs are politically motivated and argue that the administration's justification—that funding lags nullify Congressional approvals of agency operations—is unfounded. The court ruling has raised significant implications for the morale and financial stability of federal employees as the shutdown continues.
The order arrives three weeks into the shutdown, which began on October 1. Since then, Democratic lawmakers have insisted that any negotiations to reopen the government focus on their health care demands. Meanwhile, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated that he does not intend to negotiate with Democrats unless they first set aside these demands.
The Trump administration is currently maintaining military pay and pursuing immigration enforcement while implementing job cuts in health and education sectors—areas largely favored by Democrats. In total, the administration plans to terminate over 4,100 federal employees across eight agencies.
Labor unions maintain that these layoffs are politically motivated and argue that the administration's justification—that funding lags nullify Congressional approvals of agency operations—is unfounded. The court ruling has raised significant implications for the morale and financial stability of federal employees as the shutdown continues.
