Judge orders reinstatement of over 130 CISA employees

A U.S. judge has ordered the reinstatement of over 130 probationary employees fired from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) last month. These workers will be placed on paid administrative leave instead of returning to their jobs immediately. The judge's ruling affects probationary employees across 18 federal agencies, requiring their reinstatement by March 17. CISA has informed the affected employees that their pay and benefits will resume, but some have already returned their equipment. The mass firing, referred to as the "Valentine's Day Massacre," impacted many skilled workers, including veterans and those with top-secret clearances. It is unclear if backpay will be provided to those reinstated.