Supreme Court Halts Order to Rehire Probationary Workers Fired by Trump

What Happened?

The Supreme Court halted a federal judge's ruling that required several agencies to reinstate roughly 16,000 probationary workers.

In a 7-2 vote, the higher court granted the Trump administration's request in an unsigned opinion to proceed with the terminations part of mass government cuts.

The court said in its order that the nine labor unions and nonprofit groups lacked standing in the matter in a lawsuit brought in California.

'The district court’s injunction was based solely on the allegations of the nine non-profit-organization plaintiffs in this case,' the two-paragraph, unsigned ruling read.

'But under established law, those allegations are presently insufficient to support the organizations’ standing. This order does not address the claims of the other plaintiffs, which did not form the basis of the district court’s preliminary injunction.'

As a result, the federal government doesn't have to take steps to bring back workers laid off while legal actions move forward.

'Despite this setback, our coalition remains unwavering in fighting for these workers who were wronged by the administration, and in protecting the freedoms of the American people,' the plaintiffs said in a joint statement.

It's a small victory for the Trump administration in its effort to shrink federal agencies and programs.

This ruling comes a day after the higher court ruled in the White House’s favor to allow the continued deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members.

The Supreme Court has not yet been asked to weigh in on the other probationary workers’ lawsuit involving a Maryland-based judge.

Why it Matters

Justice Department lawyers reportedly warned that forcing the government to rehire those probationary workers would have created 'chaos' across federal agencies.

They have tied most of the firings to poor performance that dismissed employees have strongly disputed.

The Trump administration initiated similar layoffs involving major U.S. health agencies amid plans to cut 10,000 government health jobs.

Employees across the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, including the CDC and FDA, had reportedly begun receiving dismissal notices.

Dozens of FDA staffers who regulate drugs and tobacco products had also reportedly received termination notices.

The announcement came just days after Trump had stripped many government health workers of their collective bargaining rights.

How it Affects You

Thousands of probationary workers remain in limbo until legal decisions play out in court.

Labor unions and nonprofit groups have vowed to continue fighting for probationary workers.

This case is one of many requests from the Trump administration on the emergency docket for the Supreme Court to review and intervene in.