A federal judge in San Francisco has ordered U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to halt the firing of workers during the government shutdown. The emergency order from U.S. District Judge Susan Illston came after federal agencies began sending out layoff notices last Friday as part of the administration’s strategy to increase pressure on Democratic lawmakers amid the ongoing shutdown.
Judge Illston criticized the administration for its hasty decision-making process, stating that the approach lacked proper consideration and was resulting in significant human costs that are unacceptable. Meanwhile, President Trump has extended the ban on hiring new federal employees, with certain exceptions, as outlined in an executive order released by the White House on Wednesday. The ban, which was initially set to expire on October 15, will continue.
In another development, Trump signed an order directing Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to ensure that active-duty U.S. military personnel receive their pay on October 15 despite the government shutdown. The directive allows the use of funds appropriated by Congress for Fiscal Year 2026 to cover military pay and allowances.
The ongoing shutdown has also impacted the announcement of the annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, which has been postponed to October 24 from its original date on Wednesday. Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought revealed that more reductions-in-force plans are in the pipeline as long as the shutdown persists, aiming to streamline the bureaucracy and maximize efficiency.
Furthermore, concerns have been raised by the head of a U.S. airline trade group regarding the risks faced by air traffic controllers working without pay due to the shutdown. The CEO of Airlines for America emphasized the need to end the shutdown promptly to alleviate the mounting pressure on controllers, citing potential safety risks within the aviation industry.
Amid the shutdown, aviation groups are increasingly worried about the impact of prolonged disruptions, with mounting sick calls by controllers leading to thousands of delays. Both the Air Line Pilots Association and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association have called for a swift resolution to the shutdown to prevent further disruptions in air travel. Over 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers are facing financial uncertainty if the standoff continues without a resolution.