Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Firing Federal Workers During Shutdown

A federal judge in San Francisco blocked the Trump administration from firing federal workers during the shutdown.

“During the 2019 government shutdown, the USDA used contingency funds to issue February SNAP benefits, and federal law does not prevent it from doing so again now”

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The judge issued an indefinite injunction and found unions likely to succeed on claims that the layoffs were arbitrary and politically motivated.

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Judge Susan Illston barred the administration from issuing or acting on layoff notices dated after October 1, when the shutdown began.

Approximately 4,100 layoff notices had already been sent out by that time.

This legal action occurred as the Senate failed for the 13th time to advance a Republican funding bill.

The shutdown standoff had stretched to about 28 days.

Coverage of the situation ranges from detailed local reporting on the injunction’s scope to national and international outlets emphasizing the broader shutdown gridlock and risks to safety-net programs.

Unions argued the firings were an abuse of power meant to punish workers and pressure Congress.

Government lawyers claimed courts lack authority over personnel decisions and that the president has broad power to reduce the federal workforce.

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The injunction aligns with a wider wave of litigation during the shutdown, as legal groups prepared further challenges and states pursued emergency orders in related disputes.

Some coverage also situates the ruling in a pattern of courts issuing preliminary injunctions against administration cuts in multiple policy areas.

The injunction landed amid a fierce fight over SNAP.

“The Connecticut Department of Administration plans to use a contingency fund of over $5 billion to pay for SNAP benefits amid a federal government shutdown”

NBC Connecticut

Multiple states sued after the USDA declined to tap contingency funds during the shutdown.

Some officials pointed to prior shutdown plans that had promised continued benefits.

Outlets diverged on whether the key issue is legal authority or sufficient funding.

Some emphasize USDA statements that contingency funds are for disasters and cannot be used in a shutdown.

Others highlight claims that Congress appropriated money precisely to keep benefits flowing.

Previous USDA guidance said as much about the use of funds during shutdowns.

Administration officials have also said about $9.2 billion is needed to cover November benefits.

This amount is beyond the $5–$6 billion at issue.

States warned of immediate harm if benefits lapse.

NPR called the potential cut an unprecedented disruption to a program serving nearly 42 million people and relayed warnings that EBT cards would not be refilled by November 1.

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Several outlets reported states and cities racing to court, with some claiming payments already stopped on November 1, while others said the cutoff was looming.

Tabloid and alternative outlets underscored the breadth of impact, from food banks bracing for surges to millions of families suddenly at risk of hunger.

Blame for the crisis is sharply contested.

“The Treasury Department recently allowed Elon Musk and employees of his company DOGE access to its central payment system, which holds sensitive personal data of millions of Americans and manages payments like Social Security and Medicare”

Phoenix New Times

Several outlets report the USDA and White House blaming Democrats.

Phoenix New Times

Democratic-led states accuse the administration of politicizing SNAP and violating law.

Some coverage also highlights a Republican-led legislative proposal to safeguard future SNAP funding.

Local and alternative outlets note partisan messaging by agencies.

There are suggestions that such messages may breach ethics norms.