The Trump administration has submitted an emergency appeal to the United States Supreme Court, seeking to overturn a federal judge’s order mandating the government to rehire thousands of dismissed employees. The appeal, filed on Monday, challenges the March 13 ruling by District Judge William Alsup, which required the government to reinstate approximately 16,000 federal workers who were terminated during their probationary period.

Judge Alsup’s order was issued as a temporary measure while broader litigation continues regarding the legality of the mass layoffs. The case, initially filed by unions and other advocacy organizations, argued that the terminations were unjust and potentially unlawful, even for employees with limited labor protections during their probationary status.

In its appeal to the Supreme Court, the Trump administration contended that the judge’s order was legally unsound. It argued that allowing external groups to challenge and overturn government personnel decisions enables "third parties [to] hijack the employment relationship between the federal government and its workforce." The administration emphasized that none of the affected workers had filed suit themselves, raising questions about standing and appropriate representation.

The core of the administration’s argument is that probationary employees, who are subject to different standards and limited labor rights under federal law, should not be shielded from such personnel decisions unless explicitly stated otherwise by statute or agency policy. The administration maintains that Judge Alsup’s ruling disrupts longstanding norms and undermines executive authority in employment matters.

This case now places the issue before the Supreme Court, which must determine whether the federal government must comply with the temporary reinstatement order or whether it has the authority to proceed with the layoffs during ongoing litigation. The outcome could set a significant precedent regarding labor rights, union involvement, and federal employment protections during probationary periods.

Until the Supreme Court acts, the status of the affected workers remains uncertain, with the legal battle highlighting a complex intersection of administrative authority, judicial oversight, and labor advocacy.