Overview

• U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued a temporary restraining order that bars the government from carrying out layoffs and issuing new RIF notices for members of the unions that sued.
• Roughly 4,100 RIF notices had gone out across several agencies, with filings noting mistaken notifications at HHS that the department is now rescinding.
• Illston said the planned dismissals appear politically motivated and contrary to laws governing federal reductions in force.
• OMB Director Russ Vought said the administration expects to cut at least 10,000 positions, indicating plans to expand beyond the initial notices.
• Justice Department lawyers argued the district court lacks jurisdiction over agency employment decisions, and the dispute continues as the shutdown enters its third week.