Appeals court clears the way for the Trump administration to fire thousands of probationary workers

Joined by fired federal probationary workers, Rep. Sarah Elfreth, D-Md., speaks at a news conference about the Protect Our Probationary Employees Act on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

FILE – United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supporters hold banners as USAID workers retrieve their personal belongings from the USAID’s headquarters in Washington, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

FILE – Barbara Singer of Bethesda, Md., who says she worked for USAID as a contractor until being let go, holds up a sign in support of USAID, Feb. 28, 2025, in Washington. “It’s a great agency that benefits all of us,” says Singer. “Americans and people worldwide.” (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)