In a major legal blow to the Trump administration, a second federal judge has ordered the temporary reinstatement of thousands of probationary employees who were laid off en masse.
Senior Judge James Bredar, appointed by former President Obama, issued a temporary restraining order that affects 18 federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Agency for International Development. This ruling will last for two weeks as legal challenges from Democratic state attorneys general continue.
Bredar’s decision follows an earlier ruling from Judge William Alsup in California, who reversed the mass layoffs for a smaller group of agencies. However, Bredar’s legal reasoning differs, as he rejected the Trump administration’s argument that the employees were fired for poor performance. He pointed out that the rapid termination of thousands of employees in just days undermines the claim of individualized, performance-based dismissals.
Key Points of the Ruling
Firstly, The Violation of Federal Law. The court found that the administration failed to follow the six-day notice requirement for reductions in force (RIF).
Secondly, Lack of Individual Assessment. Bredar argued that the sheer scale of layoffs indicates the employees were not fired for individual performance issues.
Lastly, Temporary Reinstatement. The ruling allows the employees to return to work while the case proceeds. However, the administration can still conduct layoffs if proper RIF procedures are followed.
The Trump administration has been targeting probationary employees, who have fewer job protections and can be dismissed more easily. This strategy is part of the administration’s broader effort to reduce the size of the federal workforce, spearheaded by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency.
Legal experts believe this case could set a significant precedent regarding federal employee rights and the administration’s ability to streamline the workforce.