Federal Judge Halts Layoffs Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown

Fri Dec 05 2025 20:40:20 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A federal judge in San Francisco has ordered the Trump administration to stop layoffs of federal workers during the ongoing government shutdown, deeming the firings an abuse of power.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued an emergency order halting layoffs initiated by Trump’s administration as part of its strategy to press Democratic lawmakers. The judge criticized the administration for its lack of foresight, noting the human cost of such actions. Federal labor unions have argued that the layoffs are politically motivated and aimed at punishing workers. The shutdown, which began on October 1, is now in its third week, with negotiations among lawmakers at a standstill.

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge has intervened in the ongoing government shutdown, ordering federal agencies to refrain from executing layoffs that were announced as part of the Trump administration's efforts to trim the federal workforce. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston delivered her emergency order amidst escalating tensions and political maneuvering surrounding the shutdown, which began on October 1.

Illston's order was prompted by a series of layoff notices issued by federal agencies that began last week, a move seen as an effort by the Republican administration to exert pressure on Democratic legislators during the shutdown. It’s very much ready, fire, aim on most of these programs, and it has a human cost, remarked Illston. It’s a human cost that cannot be tolerated. This comment reflects her concern about the swift and potentially damaging impact these layoffs could have on federal employees.

In response to the layoffs, the American Federation of Government Employees and other unions sought the restraining order to prevent further layoffs and additional notices. They alleged that the job cuts constituted an unauthorized exercise of power aimed at coercing workers and punishing them for political reasons.

As the shutdown enters its third week, Republicans and Democrats remain at an impasse over funding negotiations. Lawmakers are grappling with the implications of their demands, particularly surrounding health care reform, which the Republicans unyieldingly oppose as a requirement to reopen the government. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has projected that the shutdown could become the longest in U.S. history unless a breakthrough occurs.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to pay military personnel while pursuing cuts in other areas, including health and education. The layoffs reportedly intend to affect over 4,100 employees across multiple federal agencies, raising significant concerns among labor representatives about the legality and ethics of such actions amidst a government funding lapse.

The unions highlighted that the layoff notices are not rooted in any lawful guidance since they contradict the authorization provided to federal agencies by Congress. The situation continues to unfold, with increasing scrutiny over the effects of the shutdown on workers and public services.