U.S. District Judge Susan Illston from San Francisco has ordered a halt to the firing of workers by President Donald Trump’s administration during the government shutdown. The emergency order was issued after federal agencies began issuing layoff notices as part of Trump’s strategy to increase pressure on Democratic lawmakers. Illston criticized the administration for making hasty decisions without considering the consequences, stating that there is a significant human cost involved.
Simultaneously, Trump has extended the prohibition on hiring new federal employees, with certain exceptions, through an executive order. The ban, which was set to expire on October 15, will continue. Additionally, Trump has directed Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to ensure that active-duty military personnel receive their pay on time despite the shutdown, utilizing funds appropriated by Congress for this purpose.
Amid the ongoing government shutdown, the announcement of the annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment has been delayed. Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought indicated that more staff reductions, known as RIFS (reductions-in-force plans), are planned as long as the shutdown persists. Vought emphasized the importance of reducing bureaucracy and remaining aggressive to benefit American taxpayers.
The head of a U.S. airline trade group expressed concerns about the escalating pressures faced by air traffic controllers working without pay due to the shutdown. The CEO of Airlines for America called for an immediate end to the shutdown, warning of increased risks and pressures on air traffic controllers. Aviation groups are growing increasingly concerned about the impact of a prolonged shutdown, with mounting sick calls by controllers causing delays and affecting thousands of employees in the aviation industry.
