A federal judge in California on Wednesday ordered President Donald Trump's administration to halt mass layoffs of federal workers during a partial government shutdown while she considers claims by unions that the job cuts are illegal. During a hearing in San Francisco, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston granted a request by two unions to block layoffs at more than 30 federal agencies while the case proceeds.

The decision is likely to be appealed quickly, but it offers a reprieve for federal workers facing a nearly year-long push by the Trump administration to slash their ranks. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The White House said last week that it had begun substantial layoffs across the U.S. government, as Trump followed through on a threat to cut t

See Full Page