A federal judge has ruled that thousands of probationary federal employees fired by the Trump administration must be reinstated, calling the terminations unlawful and a deliberate attempt to bypass workforce reduction laws. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco, is one of the most significant legal challenges to the administration’s efforts to reshape the federal workforce.
Judge Slams ‘Sham’ Firings
Judge Alsup’s decision requires the reinstatement of workers at the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, and Treasury, with the possibility of extending the order to additional agencies. He sharply criticized the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), stating that its justification for firing probationary employees under the guise of “performance” issues was an attempt to circumvent federal laws governing workforce reductions.
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“The reason that OPM wanted to put this based on performance was at least in part in my judgment a gimmick to avoid the Reductions in Force Act,” Alsup said in court. “It is a sad day when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that’s a lie.”
Federal probationary employees, who typically have less than a year on the job, were targeted because they lack many of the job protections granted to permanent employees. These workers can be dismissed more easily, but federal law still prohibits mass terminations without following specific procedures.
White House Condemns Ruling, Vows Appeal
The Trump administration quickly condemned the ruling and vowed to challenge it. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a scathing statement, arguing that the judiciary was overstepping its authority.
“A single judge is attempting to unconstitutionally seize the power of hiring and firing from the Executive Branch,” Leavitt said. “The President has the authority to exercise the power of the entire executive branch—singular district court judges cannot abuse the power of the entire judiciary to thwart the President’s agenda.” The Justice Department has already filed an appeal with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and officials have signaled that they will fight to uphold the mass terminations.
A Second Judge Issues a Broader Order
Just hours after Alsup’s ruling, another federal judge, U.S. District Judge James Bredar in Maryland, issued a temporary restraining order covering a broader range of federal agencies, including Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Bredar’s ruling requires agencies to reinstate fired probationary employees by March 17. “In this case, the government conducted massive layoffs, but it gave no advance notice,” Bredar wrote. “On the record before the Court, this isn’t true. There were no individualized assessments of employees. They were all just fired. Collectively.”
The lawsuit behind Bredar’s decision was brought by a coalition of Democratic attorneys general, who argued that the Trump administration failed to follow legal procedures for terminating federal workers.
Justice Department Faces Scrutiny in Court
During Thursday’s hearing, Alsup strongly rebuked the Justice Department for failing to present key witnesses, particularly acting OPM Director Charles Ezell. The judge had ordered Ezell to testify but was met with resistance from government attorneys. “You’re afraid to do so because you know cross-examination will reveal the truth,” Alsup told Justice Department attorney Kelsey Helland. “I tend to doubt that you’re telling me the truth.”
Ezell had previously submitted a written declaration stating that OPM had not directly ordered the agencies to fire employees, but the Justice Department later withdrew the document, fueling further skepticism from the court.
Workers Celebrate Reinstatement Ruling
For many of the affected employees, the ruling brought a sense of relief. A former Internal Revenue Service worker, who was among those fired, said the decision was met with joy. “Everyone on the group chat is celebrating,” he said, describing the outpouring of support from fellow terminated workers.
Unions representing federal employees also hailed the ruling as a victory. Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, accused the administration of trying to cripple federal agencies by purging workers. “These mass firings were not just an attack on government agencies and their ability to function—they were also a direct assault on public lands, wildlife, and the rule of law,” said Erik Molvar, executive director of Western Watersheds Project, one of the plaintiffs in the case.
Legal Battle Far From Over
Although the rulings represent a major setback for the Trump administration’s federal workforce reduction efforts, the battle is far from over. With appeals already in motion, it remains to be seen whether the reinstated employees will be able to keep their jobs long-term.
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Meanwhile, the administration continues to push forward with its broader efforts to reshape the federal government, arguing that downsizing is necessary for efficiency. The legal fight over these mass terminations is likely to become a key test of executive authority and judicial oversight in the months ahead.