A federal judge in San Francisco has ordered the Trump administration to cease layoffs during the ongoing government shutdown, which began on October 1, 2023. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued a temporary restraining order on Wednesday, following reports that federal agencies had started issuing layoff notices targeting over 4,100 employees across eight agencies.
The layoffs were part of a strategy by the Trump administration to pressure Democratic lawmakers amid the prolonged shutdown. Judge Illston criticized the administration’s approach, stating, “It’s very much ready, fire, aim on most of these programs, and it has a human cost… It’s a human cost that cannot be tolerated.”
The American Federation of Government Employees and other labor unions had sought the restraining order, arguing that the layoffs represented an abuse of power, aiming to penalize federal workers while exerting political pressure on Congress. The unions emphasized that the administration’s actions were based on the erroneous belief that a temporary lapse in funding nullified Congress’s authorization for agency programs.
As the shutdown entered its third week, tensions continued to rise. Democratic lawmakers are insisting that any agreement to reopen the federal government must address their health care and funding demands. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has stated that he will not negotiate with Democrats until they pause their demands, predicting that the shutdown could become the longest in U.S. history.
During the shutdown, the Trump administration has continued to pay military personnel while implementing cuts in various sectors, including health and education. The administration has drawn attention to programs that it claims are favored by Democrats, stating that these programs may not return in many cases.
In court documents, the government argued that the district court lacks jurisdiction to intervene in employment decisions made by federal agencies. The administration has justified the layoffs as necessary measures in response to the funding impasse.
The judge’s ruling serves as a temporary reprieve for federal workers caught in the crosshairs of political negotiations. As the situation develops, both sides remain entrenched in their positions, raising concerns about the potential long-term impacts of the ongoing shutdown on federal employees and services.
For ongoing coverage of the federal government shutdown, please visit AP News.
