Two US federal judges have ordered the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of probationary employees who were fired en masse, describing the move as a ‘sham’ strategy aimed at circumventing statutory requirements.
The US government has been ordered to reinstate thousands of probationary employees who were fired en masse by the Trump administration in a move described as a ‘sham’ strategy.
The decision, made by two federal judges, comes after a hearing in San Francisco and follows similar rulings from another judge in Maryland.
Federal judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate to serve on the federal judiciary.
They interpret laws, decide cases, and ensure that the Constitution is upheld.
There are two types of federal courts: trial courts (District Courts) and appellate courts (Circuit Courts).
Federal judges have lifetime appointments, providing them with independence and stability in their decision-making.
They also have significant discretion in sentencing and case management.
The firings, which affected employees across various departments including defence, energy, treasury, and veterans affairs, were done without proper procedures for reducing the federal workforce. In California, District Judge William Alsup called the move a ‘sham’ strategy aimed at circumventing statutory requirements. He cited evidence, including termination letters that stated the firings were carried out on guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Judge Alsup’s order applies to thousands of probationary workers who were fired without giving them the right to appeal. The judge lamented the firing of a government worker in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who had been given top marks for performance but was then issued a pink slip citing performance as the cause of their termination.
The White House has responded to the rulings by accusing Judge Alsup of ‘attempting to unconstitutionally seize the power of hiring and firing from the executive branch’ . The administration claims that power rests with the president, and that judges cannot abuse the power of the judiciary to thwart the president’s agenda.
The firings have been part of a broader effort by President Trump to downsize the federal workforce. Elon Musk has been tasked by the president with leading this effort through the ad hoc Department of Government Efficiency, or Doge. However, the White House has denied that Musk is the agency’s leader.
Local branches of employee unions have expressed frustration at the firings and the lack of transparency around the decision-making process. Luz Fuller, president of a local Sacramento branch of the American Federation of Government Employees, said that the firings had been on everybody’s mind during the hearing in San Francisco.
Employee unions are organizations that represent workers in negotiations with employers to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions.
They advocate for collective bargaining rights, ensuring fair treatment and protection from exploitation.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership in the United States has been declining since 1983, but they remain a crucial force in promoting workplace safety and addressing labor disputes.
