Trump administration moves to reinstate 24,000 federal workers after judge's order
The Trump administration has taken steps to reinstate thousands of probationary workers who were fired in its effort to downsize the federal government, according to court filings in one of two cases where the terminations were deemed unlawful.
U.S. District Judge James Bredar, an appointee of former President Obama, last week ordered the mass reinstatement of fired probationary workers at 18 federal agencies after determining the government's claims its terminations stemmed from "performance" issues "isn't true."
More than a dozen declarations filed by the government Monday night indicate the administration has moved to reinstate more than 24,000 federal probationary employees. The filings provide the clearest look at the sweeping terminations yet.
In them, officials at the agencies said that most reinstated workers were placed on paid administrative leave, though some have been returned to full employment.
They warned that the change could cause chaos for fully reinstated employees, in particular, who must be onboarded and trained again but could lose their positions once more if an appellate ruling reverses Bredar's decision.
"Whether required by operation of the TRO here or another court or administrative order, reinstatement of removed employees to full duty status could impose burdens on DOE and cause significant confusion and turmoil for the terminated employees," wrote Reesha Trznadel, acting chief human capital officer at the Department of Energy, in one of the filed declarations.
The Trump administration has quickly sought to reshape the federal bureaucracy, including by firing thousands of employees in their probationary period, which typically extends for the first year or two of a given employee’s role.
Bredar's ruling followed a similar order by a federal judge based in San Francisco to reinstate those terminated at six agencies, after he determined the firings were illegal just hours prior. Those six agencies were encompassed by Bredar's ruling, too.
Topics
-
Trump administration says it is working to reinstate more than 24,000 fired federal workers
The Trump administration is moving to reinstate about 24,000 probationary workers it fired as part of its efforts to slash the size of the federal workforce, according to court documents filed Monday.NBC News - 1h -
Judges order Trump to rehire thousands of fired federal workers
Two federal courts are ruling that the firings of probationary federal workers were improper and that tens of thousands of those employees must be immediately reinstated. The Trump administration ...NBC News - 4d -
Details on judge's ruling that some government workers must be reinstated after mass firings
A federal judge in Maryland has ordered the Trump administration to temporarily reinstate thousands of probationary federal employees who were recently fired. CBS News congressional reporter ...CBS News - 4d -
Judge orders Trump administration to reinstate most fired probationary staff
Ruling by California judge applies to thousands of employees dismissed from six federal agencies. A federal judge in California granted a preliminary injunction to reinstate thousands of fired ...The Guardian - 5d -
Judge orders 6 federal agencies to offer to reinstate fired probationary employees
A federal judge has ordered six federal agencies to offer to reinstate probationary employees who were fired as part of the Trump administration's cuts through the Office of Personnel Management. ...CBS News - 5d -
Second judge blocks mass firings of probationary federal workers
A second federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from firing federal workers, issuing an order Thursday that probationary employees be reinstated weeks after their dismissal. The ruling, ...The Hill - 4d -
White House vows to fight ruling that requires government reinstate fired probationary workers
The White House on Friday vowed to appeal the federal court rulings that required the Trump administration to reinstate probationary government employees who judges said were fired unlawfully at ...The Hill - 4d -
Federal judge orders Trump admin to reinstate thousands of probationary employees
A federal judge is ordering the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of previously terminated probationary employees across 18 different agencies.ABC News - 3d -
Judge orders some federal agencies to reinstate thousands of probationary workers
A federal judge ordered that the departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Energy, Interior, and Treasury reinstate probationary employees who were terminated last month.NBC News - 5d
More from The Hill
-
Republican files impeachment against judge who ruled against Trump deportations
Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) introduced a resolution to impeach U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who over the weekend ordered the Trump administration to halt deportations of Venezuelans that it ...The Hill - 39m -
Israel is driving a revival of Arab solidarity
In a striking historical parallel, the country that once divided the Arabs is now, through its policies and actions, bringing them together.The Hill - 40m -
Trump eyes more coal power
President Trump is hoping to see more of the nation’s energy produced with coal, he said in a social media post on Monday night. Trump wrote that he is “authorizing” his administration to ...The Hill - 41m -
Vance to serve as RNC finance chair
Vice President Vance will take on the role of finance chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) as the party looks to keep its congressional majorities in 2026. The RNC announced the ...The Hill - 48m -
Paxton: Cornyn has 'had his chance'
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has expressed interest in challenging U.S. Sen. John Cornyn next year, citing Cornyn's support for U.S. aid to Ukraine and his role in negotiating bipartisan gun ...The Hill - 49m
More in Politics
-
White House releases readout of Trump and Putin's call on Ukraine ceasefire
The White House has released a readout of President Trump's call with Russian President Putin and their discussions about a ceasefire in Ukraine. NBC News' Kelly O'Donnell reports on what the two ...NBC News - 29m -
Republican files impeachment against judge who ruled against Trump deportations
Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) introduced a resolution to impeach U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who over the weekend ordered the Trump administration to halt deportations of Venezuelans that it ...The Hill - 39m -
Israel is driving a revival of Arab solidarity
In a striking historical parallel, the country that once divided the Arabs is now, through its policies and actions, bringing them together.The Hill - 40m -
Trump eyes more coal power
President Trump is hoping to see more of the nation’s energy produced with coal, he said in a social media post on Monday night. Trump wrote that he is “authorizing” his administration to ...The Hill - 41m -
Vance to serve as RNC finance chair
Vice President Vance will take on the role of finance chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) as the party looks to keep its congressional majorities in 2026. The RNC announced the ...The Hill - 48m