New York Attorney General Letitia James secured a major legal victory as a U.S. District Court ordered the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of probationary federal employees who were unlawfully terminated. The ruling mandates the reinstatement by March 17, marking a significant win for labor rights and government accountability.
Court Blocks Mass Termination of Federal Employees
The lawsuit, led by Attorney General James and a coalition of 19 attorneys general, challenged the Trump administration’s abrupt mass firings of probationary federal workers. The plaintiffs argued that the administration violated federal law by failing to provide written notice to affected employees and states, as required under employment protections.
In response, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland issued a temporary restraining order (TRO), blocking further dismissals and compelling the government to reinstate workers fired since January 20. This ruling delivers immediate relief to thousands of impacted employees across the nation.
Attorney General James: ‘A Victory for Federal Workers’
Following the ruling, Attorney General James released a statement emphasizing the critical role of federal workers and condemning the administration’s actions:
“Federal workers dedicate their careers to serving our country. They go to work every day to keep our communities safe, provide health care to those in need, and more. The Trump administration’s illegal mass firings of federal workers are causing destruction and confusion throughout the country, and they must stop. I applaud this ruling that restores thousands of federal workers’ jobs, and I will continue to fight to protect our federal workforce, and the services New Yorkers rely on, from this administration’s chaos.”
Pattern of Legal Action Against Trump Administration
This ruling is the latest in a series of legal actions taken by Attorney General James to protect federal employees and public services:
- March 13: Led a coalition of 20 attorneys general in a lawsuit against the Trump administration to prevent the dismantling of the Department of Education, including mass terminations affecting nearly half of its workforce.
- February 11: Filed an amicus brief in support of federal employees opposing the administration’s controversial federal “buyout” plan.
- February 3: Led 11 attorneys general in issuing warnings to federal employees about misleading buyout offers.
What This Means for Federal Employees
With the TRO in place, thousands of reinstated workers can now return to their positions without fear of further unlawful dismissals. The case underscores the importance of due process in federal employment and reinforces protections against politically motivated job cuts.
Next Steps in the Legal Battle
The temporary restraining order serves as a preliminary victory, but further litigation is expected as the case progresses. Attorney General James and her coalition remain committed to holding the administration accountable and ensuring long-term protections for federal employees.
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