US judge orders federal agencies to rehire fired workers

A U.S. judge ruled Thursday that six federal agencies must rehire thousands of probationary employees dismissed under President Donald Trump’s aggressive effort to shrink the government.

The decision marks another judicial blow to the administration, which has faced a series of legal setbacks yet continues its rapid push for sweeping bureaucratic cuts.

Judge William Alsup found that the official justification for last month’s mass terminations—alleged “poor performance”—was a pretext designed to sidestep legal requirements, according to the New York Times.

Ruling in favor of employee unions, Alsup ordered the Treasury, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, and Interior departments to reinstate any improperly dismissed probationary staff.

“It’s a disgrace when our government fires hardworking employees and falsely claims it’s due to poor performance,” Alsup said during a hearing in San Francisco’s federal district court.

Since reclaiming the presidency in January, Trump has aggressively downsized federal operations, slashing programs and laying off tens of thousands from the government’s 2-million-strong workforce.

The ruling drew immediate condemnation from the White House. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt vowed to challenge what she called an “absurd and unconstitutional” decision.

“The President alone commands the executive branch. A single district judge cannot overstep their authority to obstruct the President’s agenda,” Leavitt declared.

“If a judge wants executive power, they should run for President themselves.”

This response is in line with previous White House reactions to court rulings against the administration, portraying the judiciary as a barrier to Trump’s authority.

Legality of Job Cuts in Question
The ruling follows a previous decision by the same court last month ordering the government to reverse directives that had led to mass firings.

Alsup acknowledged the administration’s legal right to reduce workforce levels but stressed that it must be done lawfully. He pointed to the established “reduction in force” policies, which provide a structured approach to downsizing.

“A lawful reduction in force within an agency is permitted,” Alsup stated. “Congress has explicitly outlined how agencies may downsize—provided they follow the law.”

However, he found that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)—which oversees federal workforce policies—had overstepped its authority.

Justice Department lawyers representing the administration argued that OPM had merely issued guidance, not directives, according to the Washington Post.

Yet court records showed that officials from multiple agencies, including the IRS, Department of Defense, and Veterans Affairs, testified that OPM had directly ordered them to terminate probationary employees.

Trump’s Vision for a Smaller Government
Trump, backed by a chainsaw-wielding Elon Musk, has embarked on a radical restructuring of the federal government, insisting that his efforts will create a leaner, more efficient bureaucracy. Critics, however, argue that his cuts are designed to dismantle essential government functions.

The latest example of this initiative came this week when the Education Department moved to eliminate half of its workforce.

Despite the far-reaching implications, Trump faces little resistance from Washington’s political establishment.

The Democratic Party remains fractured following its electoral defeat, while Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress, are rushing to cement Trump’s reforms through legislation.

This article was reported by journalist Jimmy.