Federal Judge Halts Admin Layoff Notices Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown

Tue Oct 21 2025 22:32:12 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a significant ruling, a federal judge in San Francisco has ordered the Trump administration to suspend layoffs during the government shutdown, citing concerns over the human cost of such actions.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued an emergency order halting layoff notices from the Trump administration amid the ongoing government shutdown, which is now in its third week. The ruling came in response to a request from labor unions alleging that the layoffs were politically motivated. The administration plans to fire over 4,100 employees across various agencies, an action deemed illegal by the unions. Discussions for reopening the government continue to be entangled in political negotiations surrounding healthcare demands from Democratic lawmakers.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — In a key legal development, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston has mandated that the Trump administration cease laying off government workers during the ongoing shutdown, which has entered its third week. Issued Wednesday, this emergency order addresses the administration's recent move to send out layoff notices intended to reduce the federal workforce as leverage in the budget standoff with congressional Democrats.

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.” This decision follows a request from federal labor unions, who argue that the layoffs are politically motivated and intended to intimidate and punish workers amidst ongoing budget negotiations.

The judge's order comes at a time when Democrats in Congress are pushing for health care concessions as part of discussions to end the budget stalemate. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated that the shutdown could become the longest in U.S. history, asserting that he will not negotiate until Democrats pause their health care demands.

As reported, the administration plans to terminate more than 4,100 employees across eight federal agencies. The unions are contesting these layoffs as legal maneuvers that have no basis due to a temporary funding lapse, claiming such actions should not eliminate Congressional authorization of agency programs.

The ongoing shutdown has severely impacted federal workers, creating significant financial strain and uncertainty for those on the job. Physically visible signs of the shutdown, such as closed government buildings, highlight the impact on public services and the economy.