A federal judge in San Francisco issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from laying off more than 4,100 federal workers during the current government shutdown. The ruling accuses the administration of acting “illegal, arbitrary and capricious” in its layoff attempts.
Judge Susan Illston, appointed during the Clinton era, criticized the administration’s strategy. She noted that many workers under threat have no access to work email or HR support during the shutdown—arguing the cuts are poorly planned and the human cost “cannot be tolerated.”
The lawsuit was brought by labor unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees, arguing the firings are retaliatory and beyond executive authority during a shutdown. The court will now evaluate whether the layoff plans violate federal statutes or executive overreach.
This legal battle underscores a larger showdown between federal labor unions, the judiciary, and the Trump administration’s efforts to downsize government during shutdowns. With thousands of jobs hanging in the balance, the court’s final ruling could set a critical precedent for future executive power during budget standoffs.
