Sun Mar 09 17:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Federal Judge Blocks Mass Firing of Probationary Federal Employees

**Washington, D.C.** – A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to fire tens of thousands of probationary federal employees, ruling that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) acted illegally in ordering the dismissals. U.S. District Judge William Alsup of the Northern District of California deemed OPM’s actions a violation of multiple statutes.

The controversy began with two memos issued in January and February, directing federal agencies to dismiss probationary employees. While the OPM initially claimed it only “asked” agencies to carry out the firings, Judge Alsup disagreed, stating that the memos constituted an illegal order.

Following the ruling, OPM issued a revised memo clarifying that it is not directing agencies to take specific actions regarding probationary employees. However, this revision does not reinstate those already dismissed.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), representing 800,000 federal workers, has called on agencies to immediately reinstate all unlawfully terminated employees. Some agencies have already begun to comply. The National Science Foundation has reinstated all 86 of its fired probationary employees with back pay, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has begun rescinding termination letters.

Separately, the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) has requested a 45-day stay on the dismissal of approximately 5,900 probationary employees at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, arguing that the USDA engaged in prohibited personnel practices.

The original OPM memos cited the need to assess employee performance and manage staffing levels as justification for the firings. However, the revised memo now emphasizes ensuring that probationers will be an “asset to the government,” a change reflecting concerns that the initial justification lacked legal basis. The judge’s decision and the ongoing legal challenges underscore the debate over the legality and fairness of the mass terminations. A further hearing is scheduled for March 13th.

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