Clinton-Appointed Judge Indefinitely Halts Trump Administration’s Proposed Federal Layoffs Amid Shutdown

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston, a Clinton appointee based in San Francisco, granted the preliminary injunction while a lawsuit filed by federal labor unions proceeds through the courts.

Earlier this month, Illston had issued a temporary restraining order halting the administration’s “reductions in force” (RIFs), citing concerns that the terminations may have been politically motivated.

Tuesday’s ruling extends that block indefinitely, with the judge indicating the layoffs could ultimately be deemed unlawful and potentially outside the scope of presidential authority, ABC 13 reports.

The planned layoffs were scheduled to affect more than 4,100 federal employees across departments, including education, health and other essential services.