Judge Halts Trump's Attempt to Fire Federal Workers During Government Shutdown
In a significant development, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from firing federal workers during the ongoing government shutdown. This decision comes as a response to the administration's reduction-in-force (RIF) notifications sent to over 4,000 federal employees just five days prior.
San Francisco U.S. District Court Judge Susan Yvonne Illston issued a temporary restraining order, emphasizing the unconstitutional nature of the administration's actions. She stated, 'The activities being undertaken here are contrary to the laws of the nation.' This ruling was supported by two unions representing tens of thousands of federal workers, who argued that the RIFs were unlawful.
The Trump administration had previously threatened layoffs during the shutdown, with President Donald Trump claiming the cuts targeted 'Democrat agencies' or initiatives. However, shortly before the judge's ruling, White House Budget Director Russell Vought stated that over 10,000 federal jobs would be cut due to the shutdown. Judge Illston criticized this approach, stating that the administration was 'taking advantage of the lapse in government spending and functioning, assuming that the laws no longer apply to them.'
Democracy Forward, an advocacy group representing the unions, praised the judge's decision. CEO Skye Perryman highlighted the unfairness of the administration's actions, stating, 'The President's targeting of federal workers is unlawful and a threat to the livelihoods of civil servants, who are essential to the nation's functioning.'
This development underscores the ongoing legal challenges and political tensions surrounding the government shutdown, with the judge's ruling providing a crucial safeguard for federal workers' rights.
