Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump Admin’s Shutdown-Related Layoffs

The judge said at the outset of the hearing that she intended to block the firings, unless the government could change her mind.

President Donald Trump speaks to the media in the Oval Office of the White House, as Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought, and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem look on, on June 10, 2025. Evan Vucci/AP Photo

A federal judge on Oct. 15 temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s plan to lay off certain federal employees during the government shutdown. 

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston, of California’s Northern District, began a hearing on the matter by saying she was “inclined to grant the plaintiff’s motion,” but was open to arguments from the government that might change her mind.