US Judges Block Trump’s Mass Layoffs, Order Reinstatement Of Fired Workers
Two federal judges have ordered the temporary reinstatement of thousands of probationary federal workers recently fired by the Trump administration, ruling that the dismissals violated legal procedures.
In San Francisco, US District Judge William Alsup determined that Charles Ezell, the acting director of the Office of Personnel Management, “did not have the authority to direct the mass layoffs.”
Meanwhile, US District Judge James Bredar in Baltimore found that the administration had failed to follow laws requiring a 60-day notice for large-scale terminations.
Bredar’s ruling halted the firings and mandated that workers be reinstated to their previous positions.
However, the Trump administration has already appealed Alsup’s ruling. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the court decisions, stating, “The Trump Administration will immediately fight back against this absurd and unconstitutional order.”
Labour unions and nonprofit organisations had filed lawsuits against the terminations, arguing that they were unlawful and disrupted essential services, including veterans’ care and public land management.
They claim the firings were part of a broader strategy to shrink the federal workforce without proper oversight.
Alsup’s ruling specifically targeted six federal agencies—Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, the Interior, and Treasury—ordering them to reinstate workers who were let go around mid-February.
He criticised the administration’s approach, noting that the government had attempted to sidestep workforce reduction regulations by firing probationary employees, who lack the full protections of civil service workers.
“These mass-firings of federal workers were not just an attack on government agencies and their ability to function, they were also a direct assault on public lands, wildlife, and the rule of law,” said Erik Molvar, executive director of Western Watersheds Project, one of the plaintiffs.
According to the lawsuit, at least 24,000 probationary employees have been dismissed since Trump took office, though the administration has not confirmed the number.
The plaintiffs argue that the layoffs have placed additional strain on state governments, which must now deal with a sudden increase in unemployed workers.
The Trump administration maintains that the firings were justified based on individual performance evaluations rather than large-scale workforce reductions.
However, Alsup challenged this explanation, pointing out that some affected employees had recently received positive evaluations.
“It is sad, a sad day, when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that’s a lie. That should not have been done in our country,”Alsup said.
Addressing Kelsey Helland, an assistant US attorney, he added, “I know how we get at the truth, and you’re not helping me get at the truth.”
Labour unions have welcomed the rulings, hailing them as a victory for federal employees and the rule of law.
On the other hand, the Trump administration remains determined to appeal, framing the decisions as judicial overreach into executive authority.
The temporary reinstatement order is expected to affect approximately 200,000 probationary federal workers, including about 15,000 in California alone.
These employees, who perform various duties such as fire prevention and veterans’ care, are now temporarily protected from dismissal until further court proceedings.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
