Federal probationary workers left in limbo amid legal challenges to mass firings

Probationary workers were among the first victims of President Trump 's second -term efforts to downsize the federal government.

But legal challenges over their termination have left them in an uneasy employment limbo.

A pair of court rulings that cover employees at 20 agencies have now lifted one of those orders, covering more than 16,000 probationary workers at six agencies.

Some federal workers have found relief through the Merit Systems Protection Board .

The board has a 45-day pause on the firings of roughly 6,000 probationary workers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture , which includes the Forest Service .

"I really showed up to my job every day, loving it and wanting to do the best and worked really hard," one worker says.

Alex , who asked to be identified by his first name, said he was looking forward to educating park site visitors on the nation's history.

Alex said he had been working toward a specific hiring designation for certain employees of a land management agency.

He still has several months on his lease in New York City but is applying now for other jobs.