Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Furloughing Workers
A federal judge in San Francisco issued a temporary order on Wednesday that prevents the Trump administration from furloughing federal employees during the ongoing government shutdown, citing the significant “human cost” of such actions.
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston expressed her concerns during a court hearing, suggesting that the planned layoffs of thousands of government workers seemed politically charged and poorly conceived. She indicated that these actions could have life-altering consequences.
Illston, who was appointed by former President Bill Clinton, remarked, “Most of these programs are very ready, fired and targeted, but they have a human cost. This is an unacceptable human cost.”
During the hearing, she questioned government lawyers about the reasoning behind the drastic layoffs, especially given that furloughed employees cannot access work emails and there is no HR representative to manage the layoff process.
The judge sided with federal employees challenging the layoffs and issued a temporary restraining order, arguing that the planned cuts were likely illegal and overstepped the government’s authority.
Illston suggested that the administration seemed to be exploiting shrinking government spending and services, acting as though legal constraints no longer mattered and trying to implement its own preferred structures.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Hedges argued against the restraining order, claiming that judges do not possess the power to interfere in federal employment decisions. However, she was reluctant to address questions regarding whether the layoffs were legally justified.
The American Federation of Public Employees, along with other unions, has filed a lawsuit stating that the layoff notices are a form of retaliation and political maneuvering. They contend that ultimate authority over such agency decisions rests with Congress, not the executive branch.
The shutdown, which began on October 1st, is now entering its third week. On Friday, the administration informed the court it plans to lay off over 4,100 employees across eight government agencies.
Democratic lawmakers are calling for the extension of health care subsidies for another year and the reversal of Medicaid cuts initiated earlier this summer, contingent upon agreeing to reopen the government. In contrast, Republican lawmakers want the shutdown resolved first, asserting negotiations can happen afterward.
House Speaker Mike Johnson mentioned this could potentially be the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, insisting he would not negotiate with the opposition until their demands are withdrawn.
Neither the White House nor the Office of Management and Budget provided immediate comments on Wednesday.
