The Justice Department appeared in court after President Donald Trump and his administration fired thousands of federal workers. Trump publicly threatened Democrats, saying that if they didn't end the government shutdown, he would start layoffs.
The firings were then announced by Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought on X.
Before U.S. District Judge Susan Illston heard the case on the firings, it was requested by public sector unions that a temporary restraining order be issued.
The judge granted the order to put the firings on hold until the case can be tried. She then asked for a defense of the government's actions. They weren't prepared to answer, Government Executive reporter Eric Katz wrote on X.
The federal employees are being fired, and "you're not even prepared to address whether that's legal?" the judge asked.
"That's correct," the DOJ lawyer responded.
Katz called it a "strange back and forth." He noted that the DOJ lawyer was asking questions about the proper forum for a challenge.
