Federal Judge Halts Worker Layoffs Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown

Thu Oct 16 2025 02:11:11 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A judge has ordered the Trump administration to stop firing federal workers during the current government shutdown, which has now entered its third week. The move comes amid escalating tensions between the administration and public service unions over layoffs.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco issued an emergency order blocking the Trump administration from terminating federal employees as part of a strategy to wield pressure on Democrats amid a prolonged government shutdown. The ruling followed concerns raised by labor unions claiming that the layoffs are politically motivated and an abuse of power. As Congress faces mounting pressure to resolve the stalemate, Republican leaders remain firm on their refusal to negotiate until Democrats retract healthcare demands linked to the reopening of the government.

SAN FRANCISCO (RTW News) — A federal judge has mandated that President Donald Trump’s administration pause any firings of federal workers amid the ongoing government shutdown, now in its third week.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued a temporary restraining order on Wednesday following layoff notices distributed by federal agencies as part of efforts to downsize the government. This decision has raised alarms among labor unions, which contend that these layoffs serve as a politically charged maneuver designed to intimidate and punish workers as negotiations continue.

Judge Illston criticized the administration for acting hastily, describing the process as “ready, fire, aim,” which brings about significant human costs that should not be tolerated.

Organizations like the American Federation of Government Employees requested the order, expressing concern that the firing notices were illegitimate, made under the false assumption that a temporary budget lapse negates congressional authorization for programs.

As the shutdown persists, Democratic lawmakers are focusing on securing commitments from the Republicans on healthcare provisions before agreeing to any deal for reopening the government. In contrast, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated he would not engage in discussions unless Democrats retract their demands regarding healthcare.

The Trump administration continues to pay military personnel and enforce strict immigration regulations as it strives to consolidate federal services, including significant slashes to education and health programs.

The implications of this shutdown extend beyond just job losses, with a looming prospect of it becoming one of the longest in American history if no resolutions are reached. The court's intervention underscores the ongoing struggle over power dynamics between the federal workforce and the administration in these critical times.