Judge Extends Order Blocking The Firing Of Federal Workers During Shutdown

A federal judge in San Francisco indefinitely barred the Trump administration from firing federal employees during the ongoing government shutdown. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston granted a preliminary injunction, extending her previous temporary restraining order that was set to expire Wednesday (October 29). The injunction prevents the administration from issuing or acting on layoff notices during the shutdown, which began on October 1.

Judge Illston stated that labor unions are likely to succeed in their claims that the job cuts were arbitrary and politically motivated. The lawsuit, initially filed by the American Federation of Government Employees and other unions, argues that the layoffs are an abuse of power intended to punish workers and pressure Congress. The unions are re