In San Francisco, a federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to halt the termination of workers amid the ongoing government shutdown. The emergency order from U.S. District Judge Susan Illston comes as federal agencies initiated layoff notices last Friday to downsize the government workforce, a move intended to increase pressure on Democratic lawmakers during the shutdown.
Judge Illston criticized the administration for its hasty decisions, stating that the actions lacked proper consideration and had significant human costs that were unacceptable. Simultaneously, President Trump extended the prohibition on hiring new federal employees, with certain exceptions, through an executive order issued by the White House.
Furthermore, Trump signed a directive instructing Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to ensure that active-duty military personnel receive their pay on October 15, despite the shutdown. This directive allows the use of available funds from Congress for military pay and allowances.
The ongoing shutdown has also delayed the announcement of the annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, originally scheduled for October 15, now rescheduled to October 24. Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought indicated plans for additional workforce reductions known as RIFS as long as the shutdown persists. Vought emphasized the importance of streamlining the bureaucracy to benefit American taxpayers.
The head of a U.S. airline trade group expressed concerns about the shutdown’s impact on air traffic controllers working without pay. The CEO of Airlines for America highlighted the increasing risks faced by controllers due to financial pressures and urged for an immediate end to the shutdown to avoid potential aviation risks.
Aviation organizations have raised alarm about the escalating challenges faced by air traffic controllers and the potential consequences of a prolonged shutdown. With mounting sick calls and delays in air travel, industry groups are calling for a swift resolution to the standoff to prevent further disruptions to air traffic operations and ensure the well-being of aviation personnel.
