US Judge Plans to Block Hundreds of Trump Admin Layoffs

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston stated during a court hearing that she would block the departments of State and Education from moving forward with approximately 250 and 150 layoffs, respectively. The decision comes after a lawsuit filed in October by unions challenging the Trump administration’s plans to shrink the federal workforce. Illston also noted she would require the rehiring of about 300 employees laid off amid the 43-day shutdown that began on Oct. 1 at the State Department, Defense Department, General Services Administration, and Small Business Administration. “The chaotic nature of these [layoffs] has been continuing and has affected employees of the government in many ways, including loss of potential alternative jobs and loss of health care coverage,” Illston said....