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A federal judge in San Francisco indefinitely barred the Trump administration from firing federal employees during the ongoing government shutdown. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston granted a preliminary injunction, extending her previous temporary restraining order that was set to expire Wednesday (October 29). The injunction prevents the administration from issuing or acting on layoff notices during the shutdown, which began on October 1.
Judge Illston stated that labor unions are likely to succeed in their claims that the job cuts were arbitrary and politically motivated. The lawsuit, initially filed by the American Federation of Government Employees and other unions, argues that the layoffs are an abuse of power intended to punish workers and pressure Congress. The unions are represented by Altshuler Berzon LLP, Democracy Defenders Fund, and Democracy Forward.
The Trump administration has argued that the district court lacks the authority to hear personnel challenges, asserting that President Donald Trump has broad authority to reduce the federal workforce. However, Judge Illston believes the evidence will ultimately show the mass firings were illegal and exceeded authority.
The injunction affects all Cabinet departments and 24 independent agencies, covering employees represented by several unions, including the National Treasury Employees Union and the American Federation of Teachers. Union leaders have praised the court's decision, emphasizing the importance of protecting public service jobs and holding the administration accountable for its actions.
The shutdown, now the second-longest in U.S. history, has led to missed paychecks for federal workers. Democratic lawmakers are demanding that any deal to reopen the government address expiring health care subsidies and reverse Medicaid cuts. Meanwhile, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to negotiate until Democrats agree to reopen the government.
As the legal battle continues, federal workers and their families gain temporary relief from the threat of job loss, while the shutdown's broader impacts persist.