Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, joined by a coalition of 20 state attorneys general, has filed a motion for a temporary restraining order against several federal agencies, aiming to stop the mass layoffs of federal probationary employees and reinstate those already terminated. This action comes in response to what Brown calls President Trump’s “unlawful mass firings,” which he claims have plunged thousands of federal workers into financial uncertainty and burdened state resources.
Governor Wes Moore of Maryland has backed the motion, emphasizing the dedication of Maryland’s public servants and criticizing the actions of the Trump-Vance Administration. According to Moore, these federal employees are patriots whose service deserves commendation rather than condemnation.
The Trump administration’s policy to significantly downsize the federal workforce led to the firing of thousands of employees, particularly those in probationary periods. Such periods typically last one or two years and apply to newly hired, promoted, or transferred federal workers. However, the lawsuit alleges that the terminations were part of a broader strategy to restructure the federal government, which would necessitate adherence to federal laws and regulations concerning large-scale “Reductions in Force” (RIF). These laws provide protections, including job retention preferences for military veterans.
Maryland Secretary of Labor Portia Wu highlighted the severe impact on the state, home to the largest concentration of federal workers outside the District of Columbia. The sudden layoffs have not only strained Maryland’s unemployment assistance programs but also posed a broader economic threat. Over 800 affected federal employees in Maryland have sought unemployment benefits following their termination.
Comptroller Brooke Lierman noted the significant fiscal implications of the layoffs, stating that personal income taxes, heavily affected by federal employment, make up 55% of Maryland’s general fund revenue. The layoffs could potentially depress the state’s labor market, decrease wages, and even drive residents out of the state.
The lawsuit, which includes attorneys general from states like California, New York, and Illinois, seeks immediate judicial intervention to halt further layoffs, reinstate those fired, and identify all affected employees. The court has yet to make a ruling on the motion.
