States, including Arizona, criticize White House for ‘insulting’ mass federal job cuts

A coalition of 20 Democratic attorneys general has initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging unlawful mass terminations of probationary federal employees. The suit claims these dismissals were executed without the legally mandated notice.

Filed late Thursday in federal court in Maryland, the complaint names several federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services, as defendants. The action underscores significant procedural violations in the way these dismissals were handled.

According to the 55-page complaint, the coalition argues that the Trump administration circumvented established federal protocol by terminating employees by the hundreds, if not thousands, without offering proper notification. “Over the past month, the new administration has run roughshod over the RIF (reductions in force) requirements,” the lawsuit states.

Currently, there are about 200,000 probationary employees, typically in their initial employment years, across various federal agencies. New York Attorney General Letitia James criticized the mass layoffs as “a slap in the face to those who have spent their careers serving our country.”

James emphasized the crucial roles federal employees play in vital services, such as health care for veterans and education for children. Meanwhile, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown condemned the firings as a blatant attack on civil service, which will lead to financial instability for many families.

“Instead of following the law and notifying states, his administration blindsided Maryland,” Brown remarked, highlighting the legal and social repercussions the abrupt layoffs could cause.

At a news conference on Friday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta denounced the mass firings as illegal. These layoffs are part of a broader agenda by President Donald Trump to downsize the federal government and curtail spending. Notably, Trump appointed billionaire Elon Musk to oversee the Department of Government Efficiency, tasked with implementing these reductions.

The lawsuit reveals that the administration failed to comply with a congressional requirement mandating a 60-day notice period when planning to lay off 50 or more employees. This oversight has placed additional strain on state administrative services and finances.

“Because of the lack of notice, many plaintiff states have faced increased administrative demands related to adjudicating unemployment claims; decreased tax revenues; and increased demands for social services,” the coalition asserted. Affected employees are reportedly grappling with financial difficulties due to the unexpected loss of income.

The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction that prevents the continuation of mass probationary firings initiated after Trump took office on January 20, 2025. The coalition includes attorneys general from various states, including Maryland, Minnesota, Arizona, California, and others.