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Judge Halts Mass Firings of Federal Employees by Trump Administration

A U.S. District Court judge has issued a ruling that demands the Trump administration reverse directives that led to the mass termination of numerous employees who were still within their probationary periods. Judge William Alsup, presiding over the case in Northern California, stated that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) lacks the legal authority to enforce such firings.

Alsup expressed disbelief at the administration’s reasoning for the firings, which was reportedly framed around retaining only the highest-performing employees in critical roles. While his temporary restraining order does not reinstate those already dismissed, the broader implications of the ruling remain uncertain. The judge has indicated that he will provide further clarification soon.

In his ruling, Alsup emphasized, “The Office of Personnel Management does not have any authority whatsoever under any statute in the history of the universe to hire and fire employees at another agency.”

The lawsuit was initiated by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) along with several other labor organizations, which contended that the administration had violated federal laws related to probationary employees and had conducted what amounted to unlawful reductions in force.

The OPM and the Justice Department countered that the AFGE had not pursued the case in the appropriate venue, suggesting that any grievances should be addressed with the Federal Labor Relations Authority or the Merit Systems Protection Board. They also maintained that the president retains the authority to manage personnel decisions throughout the executive branch.

Despite the OPM’s claims of never initiating the firings, evidence suggests otherwise. On February 13, OPM officials reportedly directed agency HR leaders to commence terminations of probationary workers. The following day, they issued a memo mandating that agencies terminate those employees considered non-essential by the end of that week.

This directive was part of a broader OPM policy enacted shortly after President Donald Trump took office, instructing agencies to provide lists of their probationary staff to the OPM. Alsup’s order includes the rescindment of guidance issued on January 20 and the memo from February 14.

The judge criticized the notion that all federal agencies independently chose to implement such firings, asserting, “We cannot run our agencies with lies.”

Following the ruling, AFGE President Everett Kelley celebrated the outcome as a critical win for federal employees. “OPM’s direction to agencies to engage in the indiscriminate firing of federal probationary employees is illegal, plain and simple. Our union will continue our efforts until we end these harmful attacks on our civil service,” Kelley stated.

This decision is the second setback for the Trump administration regarding its management of probationary employees. Earlier, the Merit Systems Protection Board granted temporary reinstatement to six individuals who had been terminated, affirming findings from the Office of Special Counsel that indicated the firings were likely unlawful.

Recently, the Trump administration escalated its effort to dismiss thousands of federal workers in their probationary periods, which typically includes those employed within the past one to two years. These employees generally enjoy limited civil service protections. In certain instances, the administration’s actions have also affected long-tenured employees who were recently reassigned or promoted, raising questions about the legal basis for their abrupt dismissals.

As the dismissals continue, estimates suggest they may exceed 25,000 this week alone. Additionally, the administration is reportedly pursuing extensive layoffs across various federal agencies.

How are these changes affecting you? Share your experience with us:

Eric Katz: ekatz@govexec.com, Signal: erickatz.28

Sean Michael Newhouse: snewhouse@govexec.com, Signal: seanthenewsboy.45

Erich Wagner: ewagner@govexec.com; Signal: ewagner.47

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