Judge rules mass probationary firings unlawful
U.S. District Judge William Alsup issued a 38-page ruling on Sept. 12, 2025 finding the Trump administration’s February purge of probationary federal employees unlawful but declined to order reinstatement, citing recent Supreme Court emergency- docket decisions and the passage of time; the administration has appealed. The decision affects thousands of probationary workers across agencies — including NOAA fisheries biologist Jessie Beck — and raises questions about judicial relief for employment actions tied to presidential authority.
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A judge ruled their firings were illegal. The government got to do it anyway
New information:
- On Sept. 12, 2025, Judge William Alsup issued a 38-page order finding the February 2025 terminations of probationary federal employees unlawful.
- Alsup declined to order reinstatement, saying the Supreme Court’s shadow‑docket orders indicate such relief would be overturned and that many workers have moved on.
- The Trump administration has appealed Alsup’s decision; the case concerns thousands of probationary workers across federal agencies including NOAA.