Legal Actions and Responses
The Supreme Court halted a California judge's order to reinstate 16,000 probationary federal employees, affecting six agencies, while a lawsuit is ongoing, citing improper firings under federal law.
U.S. District Judge William Alsup criticized the mass firings as an attempt to sidestep laws, ordering rehiring in specific departments, while the administration insists agencies directed and stand by the terminations.
Broader Implications and Actions
The lawsuits, claiming at least 24,000 terminations since Trump's tenure began, have galvanized opposition from unions and nonprofit organizations affected by reduced manpower.
A separate lawsuit in Maryland blocks firings at the same six agencies and others, but only in the 19 states and D.C. that sued, with the Justice Department appealing this order.