March 18 (Reuters) – The Trump administration has acknowledged in court filings that it fired nearly 25,000 recently hired federal employees and confirmed that agencies are now working to reinstate them after a judge ruled that the terminations were likely illegal.

The filings, submitted late Monday in a federal court in Baltimore, Maryland, included statements from officials representing 18 different federal agencies. According to the statements, the reinstated probationary employees are being placed on administrative leave for the time being while the situation is reviewed.

The mass firings came under scrutiny after a federal judge determined that the terminations may have violated federal employment laws, prompting the court order to reinstate the affected workers. Despite complying with the order, the Trump administration is appealing the decision and remains hopeful that the initial firings will ultimately be upheld.

The administration had justified the dismissals by citing performance concerns and alleged inefficiencies. However, legal experts and employee advocates argued that the mass terminations lacked due process and failed to adhere to proper procedures, leading to the court’s intervention.

As the legal battle continues, the reinstated workers will remain on administrative leave, and further developments are expected as the appeals process unfolds.