In a significant judicial intervention, a federal judge in San Francisco has halted the Trump administration’s move to dismiss federal employees during the ongoing government shutdown. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston, came as a preliminary injunction, effectively blocking the layoffs while a legal challenge proceeds.
Judge Illston, appointed by former President Bill Clinton, expressed skepticism about the legality of the mass terminations, suggesting they might exceed authorized powers. Her order prevents federal agencies from delivering new layoff notices or acting on those issued since the shutdown began on October 1, except for notices sent before that date.
The layoffs, targeting sectors like education and health, are part of broader cutbacks the administration claims are necessary. In addition, the government will not utilize approximately $5 billion in contingency funds to continue benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) into November.
Labor unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees, have filed lawsuits to halt these “reductions in force,” arguing they are politically charged attempts to coerce Congress and retaliate against workers. “President Trump is using the government shutdown as a pretense to illegally fire thousands of federal workers – specifically those employees carrying out programs and policies that the administration finds objectionable,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley.
The Trump administration has yet to comment officially, while legal representatives argue the president has broad authority to enact workforce reductions, a key campaign promise. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Velchik stated, “The president was elected on this specific platform,” referring to Trump’s known persona from his reality TV show, “The Apprentice,” famous for the phrase “you’re fired.”
Since October 10, about 4,100 employees have received layoff notifications, sometimes via email accounts they cannot access due to furloughs. Some were even recalled to work without pay to deliver these notices.
The legal battle has expanded to include other unions such as the National Treasury Employees Union and the American Federation of Teachers, covering all Cabinet departments and numerous independent agencies.
Democrats are pressing for any resolution to the shutdown to also address expiring health care subsidies and reverse Medicaid cuts from Trump’s recent tax bill. However, negotiations have stalled as Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson requires an agreement to reopen the government first.
This shutdown has now become the second-longest in U.S. history, following a previous 35-day shutdown over border wall funding demands. That standoff ended in 2019.
