I'm pretty damn sure this is highly illegal essentially everywhere in the US. You cannot decide an employee resigns. That's not legal, not even in at-will state

I'm pretty damn sure this is highly illegal essentially everywhere in the US. You cannot decide an employee resigns. That's not legal, not even in at-will states (in at-will states this is stupid, you don't have to give a reason to let someone go, BUT, if you make it obvious it can still be judged illegal of course). If he goes through on firing someone this way he'll be paying 2 years pay up front for the people he lets go. AND give them their job back.