U.S. Courts to Furlough Staff as Shutdown Drags On

Summary: The U.S. federal judiciary will begin furloughing non‑essential court personnel this week due to exhausted funds amid the ongoing government shutdown. Judges and constitutionally protected functions will continue, but administrative and support roles will face no pay. The shutdown adds strain to legal processes and raises concerns about mounting case backlogs.

Detailed Report: With the federal government shutdown now stretching into its third week, the U.S. court system has announced that many of its non‑essential employees will be furloughed starting Monday. The judiciary had been using internal reserves to maintain operations, but those funds have now been depleted. Core judicial functions — including judges’ pay and court rulings — remain protected under the Constitution, but staff such as clerks, probation officers, and court support workers are facing weeks without pay. Federal public defenders and attorneys under the Criminal Justice Act are reporting delays in compensation. Court officials warn that extended staffing gaps could lead to postponed hearings, slower case processing, and major disruptions in civil litigation involving federal agencies.