Stop me if you've heard this one before: A federal judge has issued an order blocking the Trump administration from implementing one of its policies...
I know. It's stunning, isn't it?
Apologies for the snark, but yes, once again, a district court judge has entered a temporary restraining order (TRO) to enjoin the administration from proceeding in response to the current government shutdown.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from firing workers during the government shutdown, saying the cuts appeared to be politically motivated and were being carried out without much thought.
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco repeatedly pressed the assistant U.S. attorney to explain the administration’s rationale for the more than 4,100 layoff notices that started going out Friday even though furloughed workers can not access their work emails and there are no human resources specialists to assist with next steps.
“It’s very much ready, fire, aim on most of these programs, and it has a human cost,” she said. “It’s a human cost that cannot be tolerated.”
She granted a temporary restraining order blocking the job cuts, saying she believed the evidence would ultimately show the cuts were illegal and in excess of authority.
I have to hand it to Judge Illston, here (re: the bolded) — at least she's acknowledging the (non)-legal standard she's applying: "If I don't like it, it shall not stand."
RELATED: Here Come the Pink Slips: Mass Firings and Layoffs Reportedly Imminent in Wake of Schumer Shutdown
Here We Go: Russ Vought's Big Announcement About Gov't Jobs Being Cut Because of Shutdown
If Illston's name sounds vaguely familiar, it may be because she's also the same judge who blocked an executive order aimed at reorganizing 20 federal agencies, including the Departments of State, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), back in May.
That case already made it up to the Supreme Court once and garnered a stay in July.
READ MORE: Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Government Overhaul. Is It Another Case of Judicial Overreach?
New: Supreme Court Hands Trump Admin. Another Win, Stays Lower Court Freeze of Workforce Cuts
There are slightly different (though related) issues in play here.
Now, this order, as noted, is a TRO, rather than a preliminary injunction. Illston has set the schedule for that next step with a hearing on October 28, so the administration may hold off on appealing until she enters the inevitable injunction.
Either way, we're just in the early stages on this one, so we'll continue to watch it unfold and, of course, report on any developments of note.
Editor’s Note: The Schumer Shutdown is here. Rather than put the American people first, Chuck Schumer and the radical Democrats forced a government shutdown for healthcare for illegals. They own this.
Help us continue to report the truth about the Schumer Shutdown. Use promo code POTUS47 to get 74% off your VIP membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member