Judge Blocks Trump Federal Worker Layoffs

A federal judge, Susan Illston, issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Donald Trump administration from firing federal workers during the ongoing government shutdown. The administration had begun issuing layoff notices to over 4,100 employees across eight agencies, an action described as a politically motivated effort to pressure United States — Democratic Party (United States) lawmakers to concede on health care demands. The American Federation of Government Employees and other federal labor unions sought the order, arguing the firings were an abuse of power. The shutdown, which started on October 1, entered its third week, with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson predicting it could become the longest in history and refusing to negotiate with United States — Democratic Party (United States) lawmakers until their health care demands are put on hold.