In a significant legal development, a United States federal judge has issued a temporary block against the planned layoffs of 250 employees at the State Department. This decision delivers a major setback to the administration's proposed workforce reduction.
Judge's Ruling Favours Employee Unions
US District Judge Susan Illston, presiding in San Francisco, granted the temporary halt on Friday, December 5, 2025. The judge stated that the employee unions who filed the lawsuit are likely to succeed with their primary argument. Their claim centres on the assertion that the planned job cuts violate a specific law passed by Congress.
This legislation was approved last month as part of the agreement to end a lengthy 43-day partial government shutdown. Judge Illston's preliminary opinion suggests the State Department's action may not be legally permissible under the terms of this new law.
Scope of the Blocked Layoffs
The proposed layoffs, now frozen by the court order, targeted a mix of positions within the federal bureaucracy. The cuts were set to affect both civil service roles and US Foreign Service positions. The Foreign Service comprises America's diplomats and professionals who manage international relations and provide consular services abroad.
The legal challenge was mounted by unions representing these government workers. They argued that Congress, through the recent law, intended to stabilise government operations post-shutdown and did not authorise such widespread personnel reductions at the State Department.
Implications and Next Steps
This judicial intervention means that, for now, the jobs of the 250 employees are safe. The ruling is a temporary injunction, not a final verdict. However, by indicating that the unions are "likely to prevail," Judge Illston has sent a strong signal about the case's potential outcome.
The Biden administration, which proposed the layoffs, must now defend its plan in court. The case highlights the ongoing tensions between executive branch management priorities and congressional mandates, especially in the fragile period following the longest government shutdown in decades. The next phase will involve further legal arguments as the court moves towards a final decision on the lawsuit's merits.
