Fired federal workers face choices now that a judge wants them rehired

Sam Peterson is one of thousands of fired federal workers who was offered his job back under a judge’s order, but he didn’t jump at the chance to go back to his park ranger position at Washington state’s Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area.Instead, he quickly turned it down, opting to move with his wife to start a career outside the government at an Oregon museum.“We signed a lease Monday and who knows what the next few months would bring if I were to return to federal employment,” said Peterson, 26.Whether to return to the federal workforce is a decision confronting thousands of fired employees after two judges this month found legal problems with how President Donald Trump is carrying out a dramatic downsizing of the U.S. government. One ruling by a California federal judge would reinstate 16,000 probationary employees. President Donald Trump, left, and Elon Musk depart the White House to board Marine One en route to New Jersey, Friday, Mar. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mar...