Two federal judges have ordered the Trump administration to rehire thousands of probationary federal workers who were dismissed in mass layoffs across several agencies. These decisions have temporarily stalled President Trump’s significant federal government downsizing.
Both judges identified legal issues surrounding the mass terminations and mandated the immediate reinstatement of affected employees. The Trump administration has appealed against the first ruling, arguing that it undermines the president’s authority regarding employment decisions. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the judges’ actions as unwarranted interference.
In San Francisco, US District Judge William Alsup concluded that terminations across six federal agencies were improperly directed by the Office of Personnel Management, specifically naming acting director Charles Ezell as lacking the necessary authority. Meanwhile, in Baltimore, US District Judge James Bredar determined that the administration had not adhered to legal requirements for significant layoffs, such as giving a 60-day notice.
Bredar, appointed by President Obama, ruled that the firings should be halted and that employees must be returned to their previous employment status. He sided with nearly 24 states that claimed the mass dismissals were illegal, disrupting state operations as they adjusted to the ensuing unemployment.
Since Trump took office, approximately 24,000 probationary employees have reportedly been terminated; however, the government has not confirmed this data. The administration contends that the firings stemmed from performance issues rather than substantial layoffs that would invoke stricter regulations.
Justice Department attorneys defend the mass firings, stating they were legitimate personnel evaluations rather than indiscriminate layoffs. However, the judges’ decisions highlight significant concerns over the legality and fairness of the process employed.
Judge Alsup has insisted that several government departments, including Veterans Affairs and Defense, reinstate the employees affected by the layoffs that occurred around February 13-14. He required these departments to provide a list of the rehired workers and explanations of compliance within seven days.
The temporary injunction arose in response to a lawsuit from a coalition of labour unions and advocacy groups opposing the Trump administration’s workforce reduction efforts, which they argue attack essential government functions and public lands.
Alsup expressed dismay at the government’s disregard for established laws related to workforce reductions, especially when employees receiving positive evaluations were subsequently dismissed under the guise of poor performance. He conveyed his disappointment that such actions had become part of government operations, urging a more truthful and just approach.
There are around 200,000 probationary workers within federal agencies, employed in various roles, including entry-level positions and more skilled jobs. Approximately 15,000 of these individuals are based in California, providing essential services. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit argue that multiple agencies applied a template approach to inform workers of their terminations, citing performance as the reason despite evidence to the contrary.