SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge said Wednesday he intends to block President Donald Trump’s administration from laying off workers for now. government shutdownHe said he believed the evidence would ultimately show they were illegal and exceeded their authority.
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston made the comments during a hearing on the union’s emergency order to block the layoffs. The trial continued, but the judge did not immediately issue a ruling.
federal agencies on friday Began issuing notices of dismissal The goal is to reduce the size of the federal government. The layoff notices are part of the Trump Republican administration’s next effort. put more pressure on On Democratic lawmakers as the government shutdown continues.
Illston said the administration is acting without thinking through its decisions.
“Most of these programs are very ready, fired and targeted, but it comes at a human cost,” she said. That is an unacceptable human cost. ”
The American Federation of Public Employees and other federal unions requested a temporary restraining order against Illston that would prevent the administration from issuing new layoff notices and fulfilling those already served. The union argued the firings were an abuse of power aimed at punishing workers and putting pressure on Congress.
The hearing took place as the government shutdown, which began on October 1st, enters its third week. Democratic lawmakers are demanding that any deal to reopen the federal government address the federal government’s challenges. medical demand. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson predicted that the government shutdown could be the longest in history and said he would “not negotiate” with Democrats until they accept these demands and reopen.
The Trump administration has so far pay for the army While cracking down on immigration, reduction in employment health and education, Special Education and After School Programs. President Trump spoke about the program. Democratic Party supporter They are targeted and “in many cases they never come back.”
The government said in a court filing that it plans to lay off more than 4,100 employees across eight government agencies.
Unions argue that the termination notice is an illegal attempt at political pressure and retaliation, based on the false premise that the lapse in temporary funding will result in the loss of Congressional authorization for the agency’s programs.
The government argues that district courts lack jurisdiction to hear employment decisions made by federal agencies.
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Follow AP’s coverage of the federal government shutdown. https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown.
