Fired environmental workers reinstated but on leave

Hundreds of federal environmental workers, previously fired under the Trump administration, have been reinstated but placed on paid leave. They will not perform their jobs while legal challenges regarding their firings are ongoing. The reinstatement follows court rulings in California and Maryland that deemed the mass firings illegal. Affected employees, primarily from the EPA and NOAA, are now in administrative leave status. Critics argue that this situation wastes taxpayer money and undermines federal agencies. Employees express frustration over being sidelined and unable to utilize their skills during this period.