A U.S. federal judge has ruled to block hundreds of layoffs by the Trump administration across several government agencies, stating the moves violated a law tied to ending the recent 43-day government shutdown. Judge Susan Illston said the State and Education departments must halt planned job cuts, while ordering reinstatement of about 300 workers already let go. The ruling, which favors unions challenging the cuts, underscores legal limits on government downsizing during funding disputes. The Justice Department is expected to appeal Illston’s order.
