In a significant legal ruling, a federal judge in California has ordered the Trump administration to cease mass layoffs during the ongoing government shutdown, which has now lasted 15 days. The judge, Susan Illston, responded to claims from two unions that the layoffs were illegal and politically motivated, particularly targeting agencies favored by Democrats. The administration had begun issuing layoff notices affecting over 10,000 federal workers, which the judge deemed unlawful. Illston emphasized the human cost of such cuts and criticized the administration's approach as reckless. The ruling comes amid escalating tensions between Democrats and Republicans over budget negotiations, particularly regarding healthcare subsidies and Medicaid cuts. The unions argue that layoffs are not essential services during a funding lapse, highlighting the precarious situation for federal employees.