'Cannot be tolerated': Federal judge delivers massive blow to major Trump push
U.S. President Donald Trump reacts after signing a memorandum to send federal resources to Memphis, Tennessee, for a surge against local crime, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 15, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
After half a month, the United States' federal government remains partially shut down as Republicans and Democrats continue to fight over a spending plan. The Trump Administration wants to lay off federal workers during the shutdown, but on Wednesday afternoon, October 15, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston — a Bill Clinton appointee — issued a temporary restraining order blocking them from doing that.
Illston, in her ruling, wrote, "There are laws which govern how we can do the things we do, including laws which govern how we do RIFs. And the activities being undertaken here are contrary to the laws."
Illston also said, "It's very much ready, fire, aim on most of these programs, and it has a human cost. It's a human cost that cannot be tolerated."
The Associated Press reported, "Illston said the administration was acting without thinking through its decisions…. The American Federation of Government Employees and other federal labor unions had asked Illston for a temporary restraining order blocking the administration from issuing new layoff notices and implementing those that were already sent out. The unions said the firings were an abuse of power designed to punish workers and pressure Congress."
Illston's ruling is generating a lot of comments on X, formerly Twitter.
GovExec correspondent Eric Katz devoted several tweets to the decision, posting, "JUST IN: Judge Illston GRANTS temporary restraining order blocking the Trump admin from taking any action to lay off any employees during or because of the shutdown. Agencies can take NO action to implement already issued [Reductions in Force] in effect for at least two weeks."
Katz also tweeted, "Order applies to any agency/office with members of the unions that brought the suit. Court will decide on a longer-term injunction in the next two weeks."
Brian Krassenstein, brother of KrassenCast founder Ed Krassenstein, posted, "BREAKING: Federal Judge Susan Illston just halted Trump’s planned layoffs of federal workers during the government shutdown, calling them 'unlawful' and 'politically motivated.'"
Political scientist Karl Bagatelle commented, "If they are unlawful, then of course they should be stopped. Will the admin appeal this?"
X user Pramod Sharma posted, "Great ruling by Judge Susan Illston! Halting Trump's unlawful layoffs of 4,100 federal workers during the shutdown is a win for fairness. Thanks to [American Federation of Government Employees ] for fighting this political move. Hope stability returns soon!"
