Summary

A federal judge warned the Trump administration for defying a court order by placing reinstated probationary (new) workers on paid administrative leave instead of returning them to their jobs.

Judge William Alsup ruled that the administration’s mass firings of nearly 25,000 workers were illegal and ordered their reinstatement.

The White House argued that full reinstatement would create “significant confusion.” The American Federation of Government Employees and other unions sued, claiming the firings bypassed congressional authority.

Alsup gave the administration until Tuesday to explain its actions.