Judge Limits Layoffs of Federal Probationary Workers

A federal judge has limited the Trump administration's ability to terminate probationary federal employees by narrowing a previous nationwide injunction to only 19 states and the District of Columbia. Judge James Bredar's ruling reinstates thousands of workers terminated from 20 federal agencies, emphasizing that the administration did not follow required procedures such as providing 60 days' advance notice for mass layoffs. This decision impacts approximately 25,000 employees, but leaves those outside the specified states potentially vulnerable to future firings. The legal battle arose after states sued the federal government, arguing that these terminations imposed undue economic burdens. Despite the limitations, another case in California maintains a nationwide injunction affecting six large federal agencies. The Trump administration criticized the ruling, asserting that it oversteps judicial authority and impedes executive branch powers.