A coalition of 20 state attorneys general has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of unlawfully terminating tens of thousands of federal workers without the required notice.
The lawsuit challenges mass layoffs conducted by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, claiming that the administration violated federal regulations requiring a 60-day advance notice before terminations.
“These large-scale, indiscriminate firings are not only subjecting the Plaintiff States and communities across the country to chaos. They are also against the law,” the lawsuit states.
The AGs argue that these sudden terminations have created financial hardship for affected employees, leaving many unable to pay rent or afford basic necessities. The mass firings have also placed a burden on state governments, increasing unemployment claims, reducing tax revenues, and raising the demand for social services.
The lawsuit seeks an immediate halt to the layoffs and the reinstatement of probationary employees who were terminated since January 20, Trump’s first day in office. The states are also demanding that any future workforce reductions follow federal labor laws.
DOGE’s approach to layoffs has been chaotic, with reports of critical workers—such as those involved in combating bird flu and managing nuclear security—being fired and then rehired. The abrupt nature of the terminations has sparked bipartisan concern, with calls for the administration to slow down its cost-cutting measures.
New York Attorney General Letitia James criticized the firings, calling them a “slap in the face” to federal employees who have dedicated their careers to public service. “Thousands of workers across New York and the nation are now struggling to pay rent, put food on the table, and care for their loved ones,” James said.
Musk has faced similar legal challenges before. In 2022, he was sued in a class-action lawsuit for failing to provide a 60-day notice before laying off employees at X . Now, under his leadership at DOGE, the federal government is facing similar accusations of unlawful employment practices.
As the case moves forward, the court’s decision could have significant implications for the Trump administration’s broader efforts to reshape the federal workforce.