States sue Trump administration over mass firings of federal employees

The attorneys general of Washington D.C., Maryland, and 18 other states are suing the Trump administration over the mass firing of federal employees.

Their lawsuit joins several other legal challenges seeking relief for tens of thousands of fired workers.

The Democratic attorneys general argue that federal agencies falsely told probationary employees — those relatively new on the job — through termination letters that they were being fired because of their performance.

In fact, the states argue that more than 20 agencies, who are named as defendants in the lawsuit, were trying to shrink their headcount through a process called a reduction in force, but failed to follow proper procedures for doing so.

Federal law requires agencies to notify states generally 60 days in advance when laying off 50 or more people, so that states can jump into action.

“Economic dislocation of workers can easily create a cascade of instability throughout a regional economy,” the attorneys general wrote in their complaint.

Under federal law, they explain, states are required to have rapid response teams to provide workers with support, including job transition services. The goal of these teams is to reduce fired employees’ reliance on public assistance.

Advance notice of mass layoffs helps states quickly identify who will need help before they are fired, the complaint contends.

The attorneys general have asked a federal judge in Maryland for a temporary restraining order, halting the firings of probationary employees and reinstating those who have been terminated. A hearing is scheduled for March 12.

 

South Korea halts propaganda broadcasts along border with rival North

The South resumed the daily loudspeaker broadcasts in June last year in retaliation for North Korea flying trash-laden balloons toward the South in a psychological warfare campaign.

Immigration enforcement ramps up, tensions persist in big cities

Cities prepare for nationwide protests on Saturday.

Federal judge says he could release Mahmoud Khalil as soon as this week

Judge Michael Farbiarz said the government cannot keep Khalil detained based on its accusation that he threatens U.S. foreign policy goals. But the judge gave the government time to appeal.

RFK Jr. names new slate of vaccine advisers after purging CDC panel

Two days after firing vaccine experts who help set the nation's immunization policies, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has picked eight successors for the CDC panel.

Leaders of ‘orgasmic meditation’ company were convicted of forced labor: What to know

OneTaste billed itself as a sexual wellness business centered on "orgasmic meditation." Prosecutors said former leaders subjected victims to sexual and emotional abuse.

LA braces for Marines as California sues to stop military involvement

With the federalized National Guard deployed against the state's wishes and the Marines on the way to L.A., there are growing concerns about the policing role of the military.

More Front Page Coverage