A federal judge in San Francisco has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from proceeding with planned government furloughs, siding with labor unions that argued the move violated federal employment laws during the ongoing government shutdown.
U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston, a Clinton-era appointee, issued a temporary restraining order preventing the administration from sending out reduction-in-force notices to federal employees in any program or department. The order covers workers represented by government unions as well.
Illston sharply criticized the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), claiming the administration had “taken advantage of the lapse in government spending” and was acting “in excess of authority.” Her decision effectively halts the administration’s attempt to reduce government costs and manage staffing levels during the funding impasse.
In a filing Tuesday night, an OMB official revealed that over 4,000 federal employees had already received notice of potential layoffs. The administration has argued such steps are necessary to ensure fiscal responsibility while Congress remains deadlocked on funding.
The ruling adds another legal obstacle for the White House as it seeks flexibility to navigate the shutdown, which many Republicans have blamed on congressional inaction and political gamesmanship from Democrats.
