A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from laying off federal workers during the government shutdown, which has now stretched to two weeks.
Two unions sued the Trump administration last month ahead of the shutdown after the White House signaled a plan to lay people off through "reductions in force" (RIFs) at federal agencies.
The ruling condemns the administration’s use of the lapse in funding to sidestep laws, with Judge Illston stating such actions are contrary to constitutional norms.