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BREAKING: Judge orders Trump to rehire fired workers
A federal judge has issued an injunction stating that the Trump administration must reinstate the probationary workers they fired from the federal workforce.
LOS ANGELES - Following the Feb. 11 executive order to reduce the federal workforce, the nation remains divided on the impact of mass layoffs. While more than half of Americans support job cuts if they lead to a more efficient government, concerns over economic stability continue to grow.
A recent survey by LendingTree highlights how these layoffs are affecting workers, families, and the broader economy. With stark political differences and some states bearing a disproportionate burden, the debate over federal workforce reductions is far from settled.
How are Americans reacting to mass federal layoffs?
What they're saying:
A majority of Americans—56%—agree with layoffs if they enhance government efficiency, but views are split along political lines. The survey found that 79% of Republicans support the cuts compared to just 36% of Democrats.
Meanwhile, concerns over the economy are widespread. Seventy-one percent of Americans say they worry about the impact of federal job losses, including 89% of Democrats and 59% of Republicans. LendingTree researchers also found that 20% of respondents personally know a federal worker who they fear will be laid off.
Which states are most impacted by federal job cuts?
By the numbers:
Certain states are more vulnerable to federal job losses due to their high concentration of government employees. The District of Columbia tops the list, with 20.85% of its workforce employed by the federal government, followed by Maryland at 5.21%.
Other states with significant federal employment include:
- Virginia – 3.45%
- Hawaii – 3.85%
- Alaska – 3.41%
- New Mexico – 2.54%
Despite layoffs, the overall percentage of federal civilian employees nationwide remains at 1.46% of the U.S. workforce, the same as in 2015.
How do federal job losses affect salaries and the economy?
The backstory:
Beyond job cuts, salary data reveals the financial impact on states with a strong federal presence. Federal workers in Washington, D.C., earn the highest salaries, averaging $144,529, followed by Maryland at $135,943 and New Jersey at $122,416.
Members of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union protest against firings during a rally to defend federal workers in Washington, DC on February 11, 2025. (Photo by Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
For those employed in the federal workforce, layoffs could have significant economic ripple effects, especially in states with high concentrations of government jobs. Additionally, 29% of Americans surveyed expect to reduce their spending due to concerns over mass firings.
What’s next for the federal workforce?
Big picture view:
The Trump administration’s mass federal layoffs are now facing legal pushback. A federal judge in San Francisco ordered the rehiring of thousands of probationary employees across multiple agencies, ruling that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and its acting director lacked the authority to issue the terminations.
The ruling affects employees in departments including Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, and Treasury.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized the ruling as an overreach into executive authority, stating that the administration would fight the decision. The case is among several legal challenges, with courts in Maryland and Washington, D.C., also weighing in on the legitimacy of the firings.
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Workers given another chance to respond to Musk email
In a post on X Monday night, Elon Musk gave an update on his email to federal workers demanding a response on what they accomplished last week. He said "Subject to the discretion of the President, they will be given another chance. Failure to respond a second time will result in termination." Over the weekend, several key U.S. agencies instructed staff to "pause" any responses to the email. Federal employees have since sued Musk, who was tapped by President Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
With an estimated 200,000 probationary federal employees across agencies, the outcome of these lawsuits could significantly impact the future of federal workforce reductions.
The Source: This report is based on a LendingTree survey of 2,000 Americans conducted in March 2025, analyzing public sentiment on federal layoffs and their economic impact. Additional data was sourced from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), tracking workforce changes, salaries, and employment distribution across states.