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Federal Employees Reinstated After Court Ruling, Placed on Paid Leave

Thousands of fired probationary workers, including NOAA and EPA staff, are reinstated but barred from returning to their roles as legal battles continue.

Demonstrators gather outside of the offices of the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C. on February 14, 2025 to protest against Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) budget cuts and employee terminations.
A demonstrator holds a sign in support of federal workers during a President's Day protest near the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. Thousands of probationary employees in multiple government agencies are facing dismissal as the Trump administration continued its effort to rapidly thin the ranks of federal workers. Photographer: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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Overview

  • Federal courts in Maryland and California ruled the Trump administration’s mass terminations of probationary federal employees illegal, ordering their reinstatement.
  • Reinstated employees, including hundreds at NOAA and the EPA, have been placed on paid administrative leave without access to their jobs or resources.
  • The terminations, recommended by the Department of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk, targeted probationary employees as part of workforce reduction efforts.
  • Critics argue the actions are designed to weaken federal agencies, particularly those involved in environmental science and regulation, rather than improve efficiency.
  • Further workforce cuts are reportedly planned, including the elimination of 1,000 additional positions at NOAA in the coming weeks.