Fri Feb 28 01:36:42 UTC 2025: ## Federal Judge Rules Mass Firings of Probationary Employees Likely Unlawful
**San Francisco, CA – February 28, 2025** – A federal judge in San Francisco has ruled that the mass firings of thousands of probationary federal employees are likely unlawful, issuing a temporary injunction against the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Judge William Alsup declared that the OPM lacks the authority to order the dismissal of probationary employees in other federal agencies.
The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by five labor unions and five nonprofit organizations challenging the Trump administration’s efforts to drastically reduce the federal workforce. Thousands of probationary employees have already been terminated, with the administration now targeting career officials with civil service protection.
While the government conceded the OPM’s lack of authority to fire employees in other agencies, it argued that the firings resulted from agency reviews requested by the OPM, not direct orders. The judge, however, found this distinction insufficient, expressing concern over the coercive nature of the OPM’s requests and the use of a standardized email template falsely attributing firings to performance issues.
The judge’s order requires the OPM to inform specific federal agencies of its lack of authority to order these firings, particularly those in the Department of Defense. He also ordered the acting head of the OPM, Charles Ezell, to testify regarding a February 13th phone call instructing agencies to dismiss probationary employees.
The plaintiffs celebrated the decision, while acknowledging it doesn’t guarantee the reinstatement of fired employees or prevent future dismissals. The judge noted that while the unions may lack standing to sue, the nonprofits do, as their members will suffer from the loss of government services due to the staff reductions.
Judge Alsup, known for his forthrightness, expressed dismay at the firings, stating that probationary employees are essential to the government and that labeling them as poor performers is unfair. He will issue a written order, and an evidentiary hearing is scheduled for March 13th. An estimated 200,000 probationary workers are affected nationwide, with approximately 15,000 in California alone. The actions are linked to efforts led by Elon Musk through a newly created Department of Government Efficiency.
First Piper 