Mercer Times

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, along with a coalition of 20 attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against several federal agencies. The suit challenges the legality of mass layoffs involving federal probationary employees. According to the coalition, these actions will result in significant burdens and expenses for states as they manage the influx of newly unemployed workers.

"In its callous and reckless mass firings of probationary federal employees, the Trump Administration has harmed thousands of employees and families themselves, including many veterans in our state who have dutifully served their country in uniform," said Attorney General Platkin. "These firings have also damaged collaboration between our state and federal government and caused significant expenses to New Jersey. They are not only short-sighted but are illegal, and today we are taking the Trump Administration to court in order to reverse them."

The lawsuit highlights that the Trump Administration's initiative aims to significantly reduce the size of the federal government by terminating thousands of probationary employees across various agencies. These employees include those recently hired or promoted, typically within a one or two-year probationary period.

The coalition argues that proper procedures under federal laws governing large-scale "Reductions in Force" (RIF) were ignored. Such procedures mandate at least 60 days' advance notice when layoffs affect 50 or more employees, allowing states time to provide essential support services to those impacted.

New Jersey has been particularly affected, with around 400 terminated federal employees applying for unemployment benefits since January 20. The lack of advance notice from federal agencies has placed additional financial strains on New Jersey as it seeks to address these sudden job losses.

The lawsuit requests that the court declare these terminations illegal, reinstate unlawfully fired employees, halt further similar actions, and identify affected individuals.

The attorneys general joining this effort represent Maryland, Minnesota, the District of Columbia, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai‛i, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island Vermont and Wisconsin.