Trump Administration Reinstates Thousands of Fired Federal Workers Amid Legal Battle  

 The federal government has begun reinstating over 24,000 probationary employees who were previously terminated as part of an effort to shrink the government—an initiative later ruled illegal by a federal judge.  

 James K. Judge, District Judge Last week, Bredar issued a temporary restraining order requiring the Trump administration to reinstate all federal probationary employees who were terminated after January 20. The lawsuit was filed by attorneys general from 19 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia.  

 A late Monday filing in a Maryland federal court confirmed that the reinstatement process is now underway, despite what the administration describes as “substantial burdens” on federal agencies and employees.  The filing also stated that returning workers must undergo the standard onboarding process, which could cause delays.  

 Despite this legal setback, President Donald Trump and the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency remain committed to downsizing the federal workforce, which currently exceeds two million employees.  Plans to eliminate the Education Department and dramatically reduce the scope of other federal agencies are still moving forward.  

Trump Backs Coal Industry in Energy Push  

 Trump has pledged to increase coal-fired electricity production as part of his overall economic plan, arguing that cheap energy is necessary to reduce inflation while ignoring environmental concerns. “For years, we’ve been held hostage by Environmental Extremists, Lunatics, Radicals, and Thugs, giving China an economic edge by allowing them to open hundreds of coal plants,” Trump wrote in a social media post late Monday.  “I am authorizing my administration to immediately begin producing energy with BEAUTIFUL, CLEAN COAL.”  

 Trump Stands Firm on Tariffs, Dismissing Recession Fears  

 Additionally, Trump reiterated the stance of his administration regarding tariffs, stating that no exemptions are anticipated for the broad trade measures that will take effect next month. The president recently confirmed that 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, which went into effect last week, are permanent, with additional tariffs scheduled to roll out on April 2.  

 Although concerns regarding these trade policies have contributed to recent volatility in the stock market, Wall Street rebounded on Monday for a second consecutive session. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declined to rule out a potential recession, adding to speculation about the economy’s trajectory.  When pressed on the issue, Trump avoided making a prediction, telling Fox’s Maria Bartiromo: “I hate to predict things like that.”  

  "Understanding the Effects of Tariffs" A tariff is essentially a tax on imported goods.  While designed to protect domestic industries, tariffs often lead to higher consumer prices and can negatively affect economic growth, according to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation.  

 Trump has justified his tariff policies as a means to pressure China, Canada, and Mexico into taking stronger action against illegal immigration and drug trafficking.  However, critics argue that these measures could stifle economic growth and contribute to a potential recession.  

Recession Concerns Grow Amid Economic Uncertainty

 While Trump has avoided discussing the possibility of a recession, growing costs for everyday goods and global market shifts have fueled concerns.  According to the International Monetary Fund, a recession is typically marked by an extended period of economic decline, including job losses, reduced corporate profits, stock market downturns, and falling home prices.  

 Even if experts and officials acknowledge a recession, there is often debate about when it started and when it will end—adding to uncertainty about the economic road ahead.