A federal appeals court has ruled that states cannot sue over the dismissal of thousands of federal employees.
In a major victory for the Donald Trump administration, a federal appeals court ruled Monday, that 19 mostly Democratic-led states and Washington, D.C., could not pursue their lawsuit challenging the dismissal of nearly 25,000 recently hired federal employees.
The Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, held that the states lacked standing to sue over the February terminations.Why It Matters
The court’s decision is significant because it limits the ability of states to challenge federal workforce actions, strengthens President Trump’s authority over government employment, and leaves thousands of probationary workers with few immediate legal remedies.
Supporters say the ruling validates efforts to trim what they see as bureaucratic excess, while critics argue it allows the administration to bypass legal safeguards designed to protect both workers and state governments from the fallout of mass layoffs.What To Know
The ruling vacates a lower court injunction that had temporarily reinstated thousands of probationary workers.
The Richmond-based panel determined the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate they suffered direct, redressable injuries from the firings.
Writing for the majority, Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson, who was appointed by Ronald Reagan in the 80s, said the case „must ultimately be resolved by the voters“, not by judicial intervention.
