Federal Judge Halts Mass Government Shutdown Layoffs, Blocking Thousands of Job Cuts

A federal judge has temporarily stopped the layoffs of thousands of federal workers. The order was issued on Wednesday in San Francisco. It halts a plan announced by the Trump administration during the ongoing government shutdown.

District Judge Susan Illston issued the temporary restraining order. The decision came after labor unions filed a lawsuit. They argued the mass firings were illegal, according to The Washington Post.

White House Plan Targeted Over 10,000 Federal Jobs

The judicial intervention came just hours after a White House official confirmed the layoff plan. Russ Vought, head of the Office of Management and Budget, gave an interview. He stated the administration expected to lay off “north of 10,000” workers.

Vought emphasized an aggressive approach to “shuttering the bureaucracy.” The shutdown is now in its third week. Congress remains deadlocked over a spending bill.

Judge Questions Legality of Layoff Strategy During Shutdown

Judge Illston expressed strong skepticism during the court hearing. She suggested the administration was exploiting the funding lapse. The Washington Post reported her stating that OMB and OPM seemed to be acting as if “the laws don’t apply to them anymore.”

The ruling provides immediate relief for federal employees. President Trump had previously warned that continued Democratic opposition to a funding bill would result in mass layoffs. The judge’s order temporarily freezes that process.

The temporary block on government shutdown layoffs represents a significant legal check on executive power. This ruling safeguards thousands of jobs for now, pending further court review.

Thought you’d like to know

Why did the judge halt the government layoffs?

The judge issued a temporary restraining order after unions filed a lawsuit. The unions claimed the administration’s plan to fire workers during a shutdown was illegal. The judge expressed concern that the government was ignoring standard legal procedures.

How many workers were at risk of being laid off?

The White House estimated over 10,000 federal workers could lose their jobs. The head of the Office of Management and Budget confirmed this figure. He described the approach as “aggressive.”

What is the current status of the government shutdown?

The government shutdown had entered its third week when the ruling was made. Congress was deadlocked over a spending resolution. There was no immediate sign of a breakthrough in negotiations.

What happens next with the court order?

The temporary restraining order is not a final decision. It pauses the layoffs until the court can further review the legal arguments. A full hearing on the lawsuit’s merits is the next expected step.

Who filed the lawsuit to stop the layoffs?

The legal challenge was brought by labor unions representing federal workers. They argued the administration’s actions violated federal law. The suit was filed in a U.S. District Court in San Francisco.