A judge on Thursday blocked the U.S. State Department from immediately laying off more than 250 workers, a legal setback for President Donald Trump and his mass firings of government employees. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco said employee unions that filed the lawsuit were likely to prevail on their claim that the planned cuts, which include civil service and U.S. Foreign Service positions, are not allowed under a law Congress passed last month to end a 43-day government shutdown. The layoffs were set to take effect Friday. Illston's order is temporary and does not address the merits of the case. The law, known as a continuing resolution, prohibits agencies from implementing layoffs through January 30. The Trump administration has told agencies that the law does not app

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