Overview
- U.S. District Judge Susan Illston granted a preliminary injunction that extends her earlier restraining order and halts new RIF notices and implementation of roughly 4,000 layoffs.
- Illston said the administration’s actions were likely arbitrary and capricious and suggested the layoffs were intended as political retribution, citing a haphazard rollout and severe human impacts.
- The judge will issue a written order clarifying scope and may hold an evidentiary hearing to determine whether planned cuts at Interior and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office fall under the injunction.
- Justice Department attorney Michael Velchik defended RIFs during a funding lapse as lawful and prudent policy and questioned the court’s role, while the administration weighs next steps including potential appeal.
- Unions including AFGE and AFSCME brought the case and have been joined by additional labor groups, as filings noted operational problems such as notices sent to furloughed email accounts and employees called back without pay to receive them.