Judge Halts Controversial Federal Layoffs Amid Shutdown Showdown

A federal judge in San Francisco issued an injunction on Tuesday to indefinitely halt the Trump administration's plans to fire federal employees during the government shutdown. The decision supports labor unions' claims that the job cuts were politically driven and arbitrary.

US District Judge Susan Illston, appointed by Democratic President Bill Clinton, stated she believes evidence will show the dismissals exceeded legal authority. Her order prohibits federal agencies from carrying out layoffs initiated after the shutdown began on October 1, but does not affect those announced prior.

The lawsuit, filed by the American Federation of Government Employees and others, argues that the layoffs were an abuse of presidential power. The administration contends it has broad authority to reduce the workforce. Meanwhile, the ongoing shutdown reignites debates over healthcare subsidies and Medicaid cuts, drawing sharp political battle lines.