In a recent development, a federal judge has ordered the temporary reinstatement of thousands of probationary employees who were laid off by the Trump administration. Senior Judge James Bredar’s ruling, which will be in effect for two weeks, encompasses 18 government agencies and is part of a legal challenge led by Democratic state attorneys general.

This decision follows another federal judge’s ruling in California, where mass layoffs of probationary workers were reversed earlier on the same day. While Judge William Alsup in California cited different legal grounds for his ruling, Judge Bredar’s order extends to additional agencies beyond the ones covered by Alsup.

The reinstatement order applies to various departments, including Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Energy, Interior, Treasury, Health and Human Services, Environmental Protection Agency, and the US Agency for International Development. The lawsuit filed by state attorneys general alleges that the Trump administration violated procedural requirements for mass terminations, arguing that the employees were not terminated for justifiable cause.

Judge Bredar emphasized in his ruling that the terminated probationary employees were not dismissed for performance-related reasons and criticized the administration’s contention otherwise as “frivolous.” He clarified that while the administration can terminate employees individually for cause, proper procedures must be followed for mass layoffs.

This legal battle not only highlights the rights of probationary employees but also questions the administration’s authority in reducing the federal workforce swiftly. The case underscores the importance of due process and adherence to legal requirements in employment termination decisions.