In a significant ruling this week, federal judges in two separate cases determined that the recent mass firings of employees, part of President Donald Trump’s initiative to reduce the size of the federal workforce, were illegal. They ordered the immediate reinstatement of thousands of probationary employees, at least temporarily.
The Trump administration responded by filing appeals in both instances. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized the rulings, stating, “This injunction is entirely unconstitutional. You cannot have a low-level district court judge filing an injunction to usurp the executive authority of the president of the United States.”
In the case brought forth by federal employee unions, U.S. District Judge William Alsup of the Northern District of California described the termination process as a “sham.” Some employees were purportedly fired for poor performance, a claim that Alsup disputed. He remarked, “It is sad, a sad day. Our government would fire some good employees and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that’s a lie.”
The departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs have been ordered to “immediately” rehire the affected employees. However, Judge Alsup indicated that federal agencies could still implement reductions in force, provided they follow the correct procedures.
On the same day, U.S. District Judge James Bredar ruled that probationary employees must also be reinstated, noting that 18 agencies had violated legal protocols in their dismissals. Democratic attorneys general from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and 18 other states contended that these agencies failed to adhere to proper mass layoff procedures, including the critical requirement of providing 60 days’ notice.
Judge Bredar expressed concern for the states, stating, “Lacking the notice to which they were entitled, the states weren’t ready for the impact of so many unemployed people. They are still scrambling to catch up.”
