SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge in San Francisco has ordered the Trump administration to immediately halt layoffs of federal workers during the ongoing government shutdown, which has now entered its third week.
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued an emergency order prohibiting federal agencies from issuing layoff notices that were meant to decrease the federal workforce as part of a strategy to intensify pressure on Democratic lawmakers.
Illston criticized the administration’s actions, describing them as thoughtless and potentially damaging to many individuals. It’s very much ready, fire, aim on most of these programs, and it has a human cost,” Illston stated.
The court's intervention follows appeals from the American Federation of Government Employees and other unions, who argued that the layoffs were clearly a misuse of authority aimed at punishing workers and influencing legislative negotiations.
As the government shutdown enters its third week, Democratic lawmakers are insisting that any resolution should also address health care concerns, while Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated he will not negotiate until Democrats relent on their demands.
The situation remains precarious for federal employees, and with budgetary constraints still looming, many face uncertainty regarding their jobs and financial stability.
The Trump administration continues to support military pay and maintain strict immigration policies while cutting jobs in other critical areas, including health and education. In a stark claim, President Trump stated that programs favored by Democrats may never return.
With over 4,100 employees facing possible layoffs across various agencies, the implications of this shutdown and the related legal disputes underscore the growing tension between government functionality and political maneuvering. The unions advocate that the layoffs are not only unjust but also unlawful, based on the confusion surrounding Congress' authority amid funding lapses.
This development highlights the increasingly contentious environment within Washington, as all parties scramble for a solution to avert further federal dysfunction.
