A federal judge has halted the Trump administration’s effort to swiftly fire thousands of probationary federal employees, ruling that such mass terminations must adhere to established government procedures.
The decision, issued by U.S. District Judge James Bredar in Baltimore, applies to workers in 19 states and Washington, D.C., limiting an earlier broader ruling. In February, approximately 24,500 federal workers were dismissed without prior notice to state and local governments. The court found this action violated procedural requirements for large-scale layoffs.
Bredar’s ruling mandates the reinstatement of those affected in the states that challenged the firings, many of which are Democratic-led. While the administration argues the dismissals were due to performance issues, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown countered that the move was a politically motivated attempt to shrink the federal workforce without legal justification.
The Trump administration has appealed the decision, maintaining that the judge overstepped his authority. An appellate panel declined to suspend the ruling but noted concerns over its nationwide scope. The case is expected to continue for months, leaving thousands of federal employees in limbo as legal battles unfold.
