A San Francisco federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from terminating thousands of government workers while operations remain suspended. Judge Susan Illston converted a temporary restraining order into a preliminary injunction as legal challenges proceed over whether mass firings violate federal employment protections.
The administration sent termination letters to more than 4,000 employees who could not access them because email systems went offline at the start of the shutdown. Court records indicate over 10,000 positions faced elimination before judicial intervention halted the process.
Judge Illston determined the dismissals were likely beyond presidential authority and violated civil service laws. She noted that issuing layoff notices when human resources departments and communication networks are unavailable creates impossible conditions for affected workers.
Labor organizations challenged the action, asserting the administration exploits the funding lapse to remove employees who cannot mount defenses. The injunction preserves these positions as litigation continues, though Trump's attorneys may seek appellate review of the ruling.
The administration sent termination letters to more than 4,000 employees who could not access them because email systems went offline at the start of the shutdown. Court records indicate over 10,000 positions faced elimination before judicial intervention halted the process.
Judge Illston determined the dismissals were likely beyond presidential authority and violated civil service laws. She noted that issuing layoff notices when human resources departments and communication networks are unavailable creates impossible conditions for affected workers.
Labor organizations challenged the action, asserting the administration exploits the funding lapse to remove employees who cannot mount defenses. The injunction preserves these positions as litigation continues, though Trump's attorneys may seek appellate review of the ruling.
