The Sconi

Attorney General Josh Kaul has taken legal action alongside a coalition of 20 attorneys general, seeking a temporary restraining order against federal agencies involved in the mass termination of probationary employees. The coalition is asking the federal court to halt these layoffs and reinstate those who have been dismissed.

AG Kaul stated, "With its unlawful mass firings of probationary federal employees, the Trump administration has undermined important services and carelessly upended the lives of veterans, scientists, and many other public servants. These workers’ rights should be protected, and the Trump administration should be required to follow the law."

The Trump administration's decision to terminate thousands of probationary employees was part of an effort to reduce the size of the federal government. These employees are typically new hires or individuals recently promoted or transferred within their offices and are under a probationary period before gaining full employment protections.

Federal agencies cited unsatisfactory performance or conduct as reasons for termination in letters sent to affected employees. However, the lawsuit claims that these actions were part of a broader strategy to restructure and downsize government operations. The attorneys general argue that such large-scale reductions require adherence to federal laws governing "Reductions in Force" (RIF), which include critical protections like job retention preferences for military veterans.

According to RIF regulations, when layoffs affect 50 or more employees, agencies must provide at least 60 days' notice to state governments so they can offer necessary support services. The lawsuit notes that Wisconsin did not receive any advance notice from the implicated federal agencies.

The motion filed by AG Kaul seeks immediate court intervention to reinstate unlawfully terminated employees, prevent further similar terminations, and identify all affected personnel.

Joining AG Kaul in this legal challenge are attorneys general from Maryland, Minnesota, District of Columbia, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont.