Judge Halts Trump Administration Shutdown Layoffs, Offering Relief to Federal Workers
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to immediately pause shutdown layoffs, marking a significant development in the ongoing government shutdown. This ruling temporarily halts the furloughing of thousands of federal workers, specifically those deemed essential at the Department of Justice (DoJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The judge cited the "Pay Our Protectors Act," mandating that these employees must either continue working or be placed on paid administrative leave, not unpaid leave. This legal challenge offers a crucial glimmer of relief amidst the unprecedented stalemate, which has left hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay. The decision forces the Trump administration to reconsider its approach to essential personnel during the budget dispute.