Federal Judge Blocks Trump Admin From Firing Thousands Amid US Government Shutdown

A federal judge in San Francisco, Susan Illston, has indefinitely barred the Trump administration from firing federal employees during the ongoing government shutdown, extending a previous temporary order amid a lawsuit challenging the layoffs. The judge indicated that the mass firings, which began around October 10 and involved about 4,100 notices, appear politically motivated and likely illegal, exceeding the administration's authority. Federal employee unions, including AFGE and AFSCME, argue the layoffs are intended to punish workers and pressure Congress, with union leaders calling the ruling a victory for federal employees. The shutdown, the second-longest in U.S. history, continues amid political standoffs over issues like health care subsidies and government funding, with Republicans refusing to negotiate until Democrats reopen the government. The extended shutdown has led to worsening federal services and benefits, including the imminent cutoff of SNAP benefits affecting millions of Americans. This judicial decision temporarily protects federal workers from layoffs until the underlying lawsuit is resolved, highlighting significant tensions between the Trump administration and federal labor groups during the shutdown.