The suit asks a federal judge to stop the “cynical use of federal employees as a pawn in Congressional deliberations.”

Two unions have filed suit against the Trump administration over its plans to fire federal workers during the impending government shutdown, alleging that the “unlawful threats” were contrary to the law and should be declared unlawful by a federal court in San Francisco.

“These actions are contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious, and the cynical use of federal employees as a pawn in Congressional deliberations should be declared unlawful and enjoined by this Court,” the lawsuit filed hours ahead of the shutdown alleged.