By: Richard L. Smith
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against multiple federal agencies, accusing them of unlawfully terminating thousands of federal probationary employees.
The lawsuit argues that these mass firings, ordered under the Trump Administration’s efforts to shrink the federal workforce, violate federal laws governing large-scale layoffs and have placed severe financial and logistical strains on state governments. 
The lawsuit, filed jointly by attorneys general from across the country, contends that the federal agencies failed to provide legally required advance notice to states before carrying out these mass terminations.
Under federal law, when at least 50 employees are laid off as part of a Reduction in Force (RIF), agencies must provide at least 60 days’ notice to state governments.
This requirement is designed to give states time to coordinate rapid response efforts, such as employment services and financial assistance, for affected workers.
Additionally, these protections help ensure that military veterans and other priority employees receive consideration before being terminated.
Despite these requirements, the federal agencies named in the lawsuit allegedly provided no notice to New Jersey before executing the layoffs, leaving the state scrambling to support displaced workers.
Since January 20, approximately 400 terminated federal employees in New Jersey have already applied for state unemployment benefits.
Beyond the immediate economic consequences, the lawsuit also highlights how these sudden job losses have disrupted collaboration between state and federal agencies, hindering joint initiatives that serve residents.
Attorney General Platkin sharply criticized the Trump Administration’s handling of the layoffs, calling them reckless and harmful to both individuals and state operations.
“In its callous and reckless mass firings of probationary federal employees, the Trump Administration has harmed thousands of workers and their families, including many veterans in our state who have dutifully served their country,” said Platkin.
“These firings have also undermined collaboration between New Jersey and the federal government, creating significant financial strains for our state. They are not only short-sighted but illegal, and today we are taking legal action to reverse them.” 
The lawsuit seeks a court ruling that the terminations were unlawful, an order reinstating employees who were wrongfully fired, a halt to any future similar terminations, and identification of all employees affected by the layoffs.
The legal action is supported by attorneys general from across the country, including those representing Maryland, Minnesota, the District of Columbia, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai‛i, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.