A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's plan to lay off thousands of federal workers during the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, now in its third week. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston cited procedural violations and concerns over politically motivated workforce reductions, as over 63,000 transportation and security employees face delayed paychecks.
The shutdown's ripple effects have disrupted aviation operations, with mounting flight delays and safety warnings from industry leaders. "Most people can survive a couple [weeks], but after three weeks, that just puts real strain on the system," said Airlines for America CEO Chris Sununu. Tourism, real estate, and food assistance programs are also strained, with 7 million low-income Americans at risk of losing nutritional support.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned the shutdown is costing $15 billion daily in lost economic output, urging congressional resolution. As museums close and housing markets stall, analysts predict prolonged impacts on consumer confidence and rental affordability.
