Federal Judge Halts Trump Administration's Federal Employee Layoffs Amid Shutdown

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from proceeding with planned layoffs of federal employees during the ongoing government shutdown. The order specifically bars the administration from issuing reduction-in-force (RIF) notices to federal employees during or because of the shutdown.

The ruling affects all federal programs, projects, and activities involving bargaining unit members represented by the American Federation of Government Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, collectively representing over 800,000 workers.

Judge Illston criticized the administration's approach, stating that decisions appeared politically motivated and rushed. She highlighted the human cost of such actions, emphasizing that they cannot be tolerated.

The court's decision also prohibits agencies from taking further action to administer or implement RIF notices issued on October 10. This means agencies cannot require federal employees to perform work related to these layoffs during the shutdown.

The Trump administration is expected to appeal the district court's decision. Previous appeals courts have cited the Supreme Court's ruling in July that allowed the administration to proceed with an earlier round of layoffs.