A federal judge in California has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s plans to carry out mass layoffs of federal employees amid the ongoing government shutdown. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued the order on Wednesday, siding with two labor unions that argued the layoffs were unlawful.
The decision pauses job cuts across more than 30 federal agencies while the case proceeds. The ruling is expected to be appealed, but it offers immediate relief to thousands of federal workers facing termination as the partial shutdown continues into its third week.
According to court filings, about 4,100 employees from eight agencies have already received layoff notices. The White House had recently announced plans for broader workforce reductions, with Budget Director Russell Vought stating that more than 10,000 jobs could be eliminated. President Donald Trump also extended a hiring freeze for federal positions, excluding military and political appointees.
Judge Illston cited statements by Trump and Vought suggesting political motives behind the cuts, including claims that the layoffs would target “Democrat agencies.” She emphasized that such politically motivated actions violate federal law, saying, “You can’t do that in a nation of laws.”
Democracy Forward, representing the unions—the American Federation of Government Employees and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees—hailed the ruling as a victory for civil servants. “Playing games with workers’ livelihoods is cruel and unlawful,” said Skye Perryman, the group’s president.
Illston ordered the administration to submit a detailed report by Friday outlining any pending layoffs and steps being taken to comply with her order. The Justice Department declined to comment on the legality of the layoffs during the hearing.
The ruling underscores escalating tensions between the White House and federal workers as the shutdown continues without a funding agreement in Congress.