Attorney General Rayfield has announced that a federal judge in the United States District Court for Maryland issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against 18 federal agencies. The order mandates these agencies to halt the mass layoffs of federal probationary employees and reinstate those who were fired by Monday, March 17, 2025.
In response to this development, Attorney General Rayfield stated: “President Trump blindsided Oregon when he fired thousands of federal probationary employees without giving us the 60-day notice required by law. He jeopardized these employees’ financial security, threatened our state’s economy, and risked overwhelming Oregon’s ability to help those who were out of work."
Rayfield further commented on the implications of the ruling: “This ruling not only requires the Trump Administration to stop these indiscriminate and unlawful layoffs but also orders it to undo the harm inflicted on Oregon by restoring the jobs of hardworking federal employees."
He emphasized his office's commitment to ensuring compliance with legal standards: “These mass firings reflect a disregard for both the law and the essential role of the civil service in maintaining government stability. Our Office is committed to upholding the rule of law and will take every necessary legal step to ensure compliance with this court order.”
The TRO was issued following Attorney General Rayfield's collaboration with a coalition of 20 attorneys general on March 6, 2025. This group sued several federal agencies for causing significant harm to Oregon and other plaintiff states, seeking immediate relief from what they deemed unlawful actions. The TRO halts further layoffs and demands reinstatement across multiple agencies.
Attorney General Rayfield worked alongside attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island Vermont Wisconsin.