Saturday, March 29, 2025
US Court Blocks Trump’s Layoff Order: 4,000 Federal Employees Saved Amid Shutdown
In a major setback for US President Donald Trump, a federal court in San Francisco has temporarily blocked his administration’s directive to lay off 4,000 federal employees during the ongoing government shutdown. The ruling, issued by Judge Susan Illston, comes as the shutdown, which began on October 1, continues to disrupt federal operations across the country.
The Trump administration had reportedly sought to use the shutdown to halt several government programs and cut down the federal workforce. However, the court sided with the federal employees’ unions, which had filed a petition calling the move unconstitutional. The decision is being hailed as a major victory for labor unions representing federal workers.
In her ruling, Judge Illston sharply criticized the government’s actions, calling the layoff plan “illegal” and a “violation of workers’ rights.” She described the decision as politically driven and executed “without due consideration.”
The judge questioned the government’s counsel on how termination notices were sent to thousands of employees when official emails were inactive and the HR departments were closed due to the shutdown. Drawing a vivid analogy, she said the move was like “firing shots without giving the enemy a chance to prepare,” labeling it unacceptable and reckless.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) had filed the petition on behalf of workers nationwide, alleging that the Trump administration intended to punish employees hired under the previous Congress and pressure lawmakers through mass layoffs.
Skye Perryman, head of the advocacy group Democracy Forward, condemned the order as “cruel and unlawful,” stating, “Federal employees serve the American public; playing politics with their livelihoods is inexcusable—especially when they’re already suffering due to the shutdown.”
The shutdown has deepened partisan tensions in Washington. Democratic lawmakers are demanding the inclusion of healthcare-related provisions in the spending bill, while Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson insists that talks will only proceed if Democrats drop their conditions.
As of now, neither the White House nor the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued any official response to the court’s remarks.
