Story perspectives

Judge Blocks State Department's Planned Layoffs Amid Shutdown

12/5/2025

Summary

Story summary

On December 4, 2025, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston temporarily blocked the State Department from laying off over 250 workers.
The American Federation of Government Employees and the American Foreign Service Association argued the administration misinterpreted the law prohibiting terminations during a government shutdown.
Illston's ruling holds the law applies to layoffs announced before the shutdown.
The State Department has yet to respond to the ruling.

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Story summary

On December 4, 2025, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston temporarily blocked the State Department from laying off over 250 workers.
The American Federation of Government Employees and the American Foreign Service Association argued the administration misinterpreted the law prohibiting terminations during a government shutdown.
Illston's ruling holds the law applies to layoffs announced before the shutdown.
The State Department has yet to respond to the ruling.