Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford, along with a coalition of 20 attorneys general, has filed for a temporary restraining order against several federal agencies. The motion seeks to halt the mass layoffs of federal probationary employees and calls for the reinstatement of those already terminated.
The action is prompted by what AG Ford describes as "irreparable injuries" caused by these firings to Nevada and other states involved in the lawsuit. The sudden terminations are said to be straining state resources needed to support newly unemployed workers and manage unemployment claims. Additionally, the layoffs are expected to impact state finances and disrupt essential state-federal partnerships.
“These mass firings will leave Nevadans unemployed and strain our state’s resources and finances in the aftermath,” stated AG Ford. He emphasized that firing employees without cause places an undue financial burden on states, which he argues is unlawful.
The Trump administration initiated these mass terminations as part of efforts to reduce the size of the federal government. Many affected employees were either newly hired or had recently been promoted or transferred, placing them under a probationary period before gaining full employment protections under federal law.
Federal agencies justified the terminations through letters citing unsatisfactory performance or conduct; however, AG Ford's coalition contends that this was part of a broader restructuring effort requiring adherence to specific federal laws governing large-scale reductions in force (RIF). These laws ensure that certain groups, such as military veterans, receive job retention preference.
When a RIF involves 50 or more layoffs, agencies must typically provide at least 60 days' notice to state governments so they can offer necessary support services to affected workers. According to AG Ford's lawsuit, no such notice was given in Nevada, leading to significant challenges for the state.
AG Ford's motion requests an immediate court ruling for reinstating unlawfully terminated employees and halting further similar actions while identifying those impacted.
Joining AG Ford in this legal action are attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Wisconsin and Washington D.C.
Reviewing courts have yet to grant the temporary restraining order requested by this coalition.