Federal Judge Expands Shutdown Layoff Freeze Protecting Thousands Across Agencies

During the ongoing government shutdown, the Trump administration planned to lay off thousands of federal employees, with estimates suggesting layoffs could exceed 10,000 workers, particularly targeting those involved in "Democrat-oriented" priorities. However, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued a temporary restraining order blocking these layoffs, ruling the administration's actions appeared politically motivated and likely unlawful, and expanded protections to include employees represented by additional unions such as the National Federation of Federal Employees, SEIU, and the National Association of Government Employees. The order also protects federal employees in any collective bargaining unit represented by these unions, providing significant relief to affected workers. Despite the order, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) argued it could proceed with layoffs of nearly 1,000 employees not covered by the unions involved in the lawsuit, highlighting ongoing legal disputes. The shutdown, now in its third week, persists amid congressional deadlock over funding and Affordable Care Act subsidies, with the administration emphasizing its intent to use the funding lapse to reduce federal workforce size. This judicial intervention represents a critical legal check on executive power, temporarily preserving thousands of federal jobs while further court reviews proceed.