Judge Blocks Trump Governance’s Imminent layoffs of Federal Employees
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from moving forward with planned reductions in force targeting federal employees, citing concerns over the legality and impact of the layoffs. The ruling came during a hearing in which the administration notably declined to defend the cuts on their merits, focusing rather on procedural arguments.
the lawsuit, brought by federal employee unions, challenges the administration’s efforts to drastically shrink the federal workforce during the ongoing government shutdown. The unions argued that the impending layoffs – details of which,including the specific number of affected jobs,the administration refused to disclose – would cause irreparable harm to employees and their families.
During the hearing, Elizabeth Hedges, representing the Trump administration, argued against granting the preliminary injunction. She contended the alleged harm wasn’t “irreparable,” suggesting employees could pursue remedies through other legal channels. Hedges also asserted that federal employment claims should be handled administratively,not by district courts,and that the 60-day notice periods attached to the layoff orders meant the challenge was premature.
Though, Judge Illston repeatedly pressed Hedges to state the administration’s position on the legality of the cuts themselves. Hedges consistently demurred, stating she was ”not prepared to discuss that today,” and emphasizing “threshold” arguments regarding the case’s admissibility.
“You don’t have a position on whether it’s OK that they do what they’re doing?” Illston asked, visibly frustrated. hedges affirmed this was the case, further fueling the judge’s skepticism.
Danielle Leonard, attorney for the unions, countered that the government’s stance was both indefensible and contradicted by public statements from the administration. She pointed to President Trump’s own remarks announcing further cuts planned for Friday, and the consistent messaging from the office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Leonard detailed the immediate harm being inflicted on federal employees, citing instances of workers being cut off from essential communication during the shutdown, and being forced to participate in firing their colleagues only to face termination themselves. She highlighted the emotional toll,quoting OMB Director Russell Vought‘s own admission that the administration intended to cause “trauma” to the federal workforce. “That’s exactly what they are doing. Trauma. The emotional distress of being told you are being fired after an already exceptionally difficult year for federal employees,” Leonard stated.
skye Perryman, president of Democracy Forward, co-counsel for the unions, hailed the judge’s decision as a rebuke of the administration’s actions, characterizing them as unlawful and part of a broader agenda outlined in “Project 2025.”
Judge Illston has scheduled a further hearing later this month to consider a more permanent preliminary injunction. She expressed her desire to understand the government’s position on the merits of the case, stating, “It would be fantastic to know what the government’s position is… and my breath is bated until we find that.”
Following the hearing,President Trump,during a White House press conference,claimed his administration was ensuring payment for employees “we want paid,” while concurrently alleging that Russell Vought was leveraging the shutdown to eliminate employees perceived as supporting Democratic initiatives. “Russell Vought is really terminating tremendous numbers of Democrat projects – not only jobs,” Trump said.
