Story perspectives

Judge Reinstates 680 Federal Workers Amid Shutdown Violations

12/18/2025

Center

Judge Reinstates Employees

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston ordered the reinstatement of about 680 federal employees terminated during the 2025 shutdown.
The ruling blocks ongoing layoffs and requires rescission of reduction-in-force notices issued between October 1 and November 12, 2025.
Illston criticized the U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration for violating the law prohibiting layoffs during the shutdown.
The American Federation of Government Employees and other unions filed the lawsuit.

Right

Wright Preserves Energy

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration reports that Energy Secretary Chris Wright has preserved over 15 gigawatts of energy capacity in the past year.
The effort aims to counter the Biden administration's fossil-fuel phase-out.
The former Three Mile Island Nuclear Facility, now the Crane Clean Energy Center, will restart by summer 2027, generating over 800 megawatts.
Wright emphasizes keeping reliable energy sources to stabilize electricity prices and support American manufacturing.

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Judge Reinstates Employees

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston ordered the reinstatement of about 680 federal employees terminated during the 2025 shutdown.
The ruling blocks ongoing layoffs and requires rescission of reduction-in-force notices issued between October 1 and November 12, 2025.
Illston criticized the U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration for violating the law prohibiting layoffs during the shutdown.
The American Federation of Government Employees and other unions filed the lawsuit.

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