Judge Rules OPM Firing Order Broke Federal Law

A federal judge in San Francisco has struck down a directive from the Office of Personnel Management to fire thousands of probationary federal workers. The ruling deems the order unlawful calling it an overreach that skirted proper procedures. Politico reports this decision deals a blow to efforts aimed at slashing the government workforce.

Judge William Alsup found OPM lacked authority to mandate mass terminations across agencies. He criticized the agency for instructing departments to cite fake performance issues as cover. This tactic allegedly masked a broader agenda to shrink federal employment without legal backing.

The order came amid a push by the Trump administration to cut jobs quickly. Labor unions hailed the ruling as a win for workers caught in abrupt firings despite solid reviews. Many affected employees had no chance to appeal or defend their roles.

OPM oversees personnel policies but cannot directly hire or fire staff outside its ranks. The judge ordered the agency to retract its guidance though fired workers won’t automatically reclaim jobs. Unions hope this sparks wider challenges to similar cuts.

Probationary employees often new hires lack the protections of tenured staff. The administration framed them as easy targets for streamlining a bloated bureaucracy. Critics argue this move ignored fair process and disrupted vital services.

This ruling exposes tensions over executive power in reshaping government. It follows reports of chaotic workforce reductions under the Department of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk. Workers and advocates see it as a stand against arbitrary dismantling of public roles.

Agencies like USAID felt the ripple effects of such directives fueling broader unrest. The judge’s decision may slow the momentum of rapid workforce purges pushed by top officials. Legal battles over federal employment practices are likely far from over.

For now the ruling offers relief to workers reeling from sudden job loss. It also signals courts may curb aggressive attempts to gut agencies without congressional approval. The fight over who controls the federal workforce promises more clashes ahead.