A federal judge in San Francisco has issued a temporary halt on the Trump administration’s decision to terminate federal employees amidst the ongoing government shutdown. The judge’s decision comes amid concerns that these dismissals might have been politically driven and executed without proper consideration.
During a court session, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston challenged the assistant U.S. attorney to justify the rationale behind the distribution of over 4,100 layoff notices. These notices were sent out starting Friday, despite furloughed employees lacking access to work emails and the absence of HR specialists to guide them through the process.
Judge Illston criticized the approach as a “ready, fire, aim” strategy, highlighting the significant human impact of such decisions. She emphasized that the human cost of these actions is unacceptable.
The judge’s ruling includes a temporary restraining order preventing the continuation of these layoffs. She expressed confidence that further evidence would demonstrate the illegality and overreach of these actions.
When approached for remarks, the White House directed The Associated Press to the Office of Management and Budget, which has yet to provide a response.
The American Federation of Government Employees, along with other federal labor unions, sought Judge Illston’s intervention to stop the issuance of new layoff notices and to suspend those already distributed. The unions argue that the terminations are an abuse of power intended to penalize workers and exert pressure on Congress.
“The president seems to think his government shutdown is distracting people from the harmful and lawlessness actions of his administration, but the American people are holding him accountable, including in the courts,” said Skye Perryman, president and CEO of legal organization Democracy Forward. “Our civil servants do the work of the people, and playing games with their livelihoods is cruel and unlawful and a threat to everyone in our nation.”
Illston’s order came as the shutdown, which started Oct. 1, entered its third week.
Democratic lawmakers are demanding that any deal to reopen the federal government address their health care demands. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson predicted the shutdown may become the longest in history, saying he “won’t negotiate” with Democrats until they hit pause on those demands and reopen.
Democrats have demanded that health care subsidies, first put in place in 2021 and extended a year later, be extended again. They also want any government funding bill to reverse the Medicaid cuts in Trump’s big tax breaks and spending cuts bill passed this summer.
The Trump administration has been paying the military and pursuing its crackdown on immigration while slashing jobs in health and education, including in special education and after-school programs. Trump said programs favored by Democrats are being targeted and “they’re never going to come back, in many cases.”
In a court filing, the administration said it planned to fire more than 4,100 employees across eight agencies.
In a related case, Illston had blocked the administration from carrying out much of its plans to reduce the size of the federal workforce. But the Supreme Court said the administration could continue firing workers while the lawsuit is pending.
The unions say the layoff notices are an illegal attempt at political pressure and retribution and are based on the false premise that a temporary funding lapse eliminates Congress’ authorization of agency programs.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Hedges said in court Wednesday that the district court lacks jurisdiction to hear employment decisions made by federal agencies. Under prodding by the judge, Hedges said she was not prepared to discuss the merits of the case, only reasons why a temporary restraining order should not be issued.
Illston was nominated to the bench by former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat.
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