A California judge has ruled that the Trump administration's mass firings of probationary federal employees were likely unlawful. In a significant decision, US District Judge William Alsup ordered the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to withdraw its directives instructing multiple agencies to terminate employees. The ruling affects agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Park Service, and the Defence Department.
The lawsuit, filed by a coalition of labour unions and non-profit organisations, contended that the OPM acted beyond its authority. They argued that the agency unlawfully directed the termination of approximately 200,000 probationary employees, many in their first or second year of employment. Additionally, some long-time employees recently promoted were also caught in these terminations. The government countered by claiming that OPM merely asked, not ordered, the agencies to carry out these firings.
"[OPM] does not have any authority whatsoever, under any statute in the history of the universe, to hire and fire employees at another agency," said Judge Alsup.
The judge's temporary restraining order places a hold on these actions until further judicial review in the coming weeks. This decision marks a critical moment for probationary employees, who are often vulnerable due to their short tenure in federal positions.
"They can hire and fire their own employees," Judge Alsup added, highlighting the overreach of OPM's directives.
The coalition's lawsuit claims that OPM falsely cited poor performance as the reason for dismissals, which was a guise to reduce the federal workforce as part of the Trump administration's cost-cutting measures. Everett Kelley, National President of the American Federation of Government Employees, hailed the ruling as a victory for workers unjustly terminated.
"These are rank-and-file workers who joined the federal government to make a difference in their communities, only to be suddenly terminated due to this administration's disdain for federal employees and desire to privatize their work," stated Kelley.
While the ruling temporarily halts further dismissals, it underscores ongoing tensions between federal workers and administrative policies aimed at workforce reduction. The OPM has declined to comment on the matter following the BBC's request.