Judge orders Trump administration to pause shutdown layoffs

October 15, 2025

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from laying off thousands of federal workers during the ongoing government shutdown. Judge Susan Illston granted a request by two unions to prevent layoffs at more than 30 agencies, agreeing that the administration was unlawfully using the funding lapse to downsize the government. The judge cited political motivations evident in statements by President Trump and Budget Chief Russell Vought, including Trump's comment about targeting "Democrat agencies.

Who is affected

Approximately 4,000 federal workers who were targeted for layoffs
Employees at more than 30 federal agencies
Specific departments including Treasury (1,446 employees), Health and Human Services (1,100-1,200 employees), Education (at least 400), Housing and Urban Development (at least 400), Commerce, Energy, and Homeland Security (176-315 employees each)
Two unions: American Federation of Government Employees and AFL-CIO
Most federal workers who have been furloughed without pay during the shutdown

What action is being taken

Judge Susan Illston is granting a temporary restraining order to block the layoffs
The unions are pursuing a lawsuit against the administration
The Trump administration is expected to appeal the restraining order
The government shutdown is continuing into its third week
The US Senate is repeatedly failing to pass resolutions to reopen the government

Why it matters

The judge determined the administration is unlawfully using the shutdown to downsize government
The layoffs appear to have political motivations, targeting what Trump called "Democrat agencies"
The unions argue that implementing layoffs is not an essential service that can be performed during a funding lapse
Most federal workers have already been furloughed without pay, making layoffs unnecessary
The dispute occurs amid a broader political impasse between Republicans and Democrats over government funding

What's next

The Trump administration is expected to appeal against the restraining order

Read full article from source: BBC