October 15, 2025
Judge enjoins shutdown-related federal layoffs
Questions whether administration can use shutdown to permanently restructure federal workforce
👨⚖️Judicial Review🏛️Government
On Oct. 15, 2025, Judge Susan Illston granted a temporary restraining order pausing shutdown-related RIFs.
On Oct. 28, 2025, Judge Illston entered a preliminary injunction enjoining shutdown-related RIFs and pausing implementation of notices issued on or after Oct. 10, 2025.
Court relief rests on Administrative Procedure Act claims and a finding that the agencies' actions were likely arbitrary and capricious. The order did not issue a final judgment on the Antideficiency Act.
Agency filings and declarations reported roughly 4,000 to 4,100 layoff notices. OMB Director Russ Vought publicly forecast the number could be 'north of 10,000.'.
A RIF notice typically carries a statutory pre-termination notice period under 5 U.S.C. § 3502 and related regulations, which the court noted in its order.
👨⚖️Judicial Review🏛️Government
Test Your Knowledge
10
Q1
Complete the timeline: On October ___, 2025, agencies began issuing RIF notices. On October ___, Judge Illston granted a temporary restraining order. On October ___, Judge Illston entered a preliminary injunction.
Q2
How would you Judge Illston's statement during the October 28, 2025, hearing that the driving force behind shutdown-related RIFs appeared to be political retribution?
Q3
How did Illston rule that the Trump administration definitively violated the Antideficiency Act by issuing RIF notices during the shutdown.
Q4
What is the order of these events in chronological from earliest to latest.?
Q5
Under traditional shutdown procedures before the Trump administration's October 2025 actions, what happened to non-excepted federal employees during funding lapses?
5 more questions available
Upgrade to Premium to access all practice questions and unlock advanced quiz features.
Upgrade to PremiumThese questions are part of the Judge enjoins shutdown-related federal layoffs topic. Master this topic by completing the quiz or exploring each question in detail.
Ready to test your knowledge?
Take the full quiz to master this topic and track your progress.
Start QuizPeople, bills, and sources
Susan Illston
United States District Judge, Northern District of California
Russell Vought
White House Budget Office Director
AFGE and AFSCME (claimants)
Plaintiff labor unions