• San Francisco District Judge William Alsup has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's directive to fire "non-mission-critical" probationary federal employees.
  • The ruling specifically targets memos from January 20 and February 14 that ordered agencies to identify employees for termination as part of cost-cutting measures.
  • The Department of Defense still plans to proceed with firing 5,400 probationary employees as it falls outside the lawsuit's scope, while a new White House memo requests agencies to submit staffing reduction plans by March 13.

A federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration's directive to federal agencies to conduct widespread terminations of recently hired employees, dealing a significant setback to the administration's cost-cutting initiatives.

San Francisco District Judge William Alsup ruled on Thursday that the U.S. Office of Personnel Management lacks the authority to order federal agencies to dismiss workers, including probationary employees with typically less than one year of service.

"Probationary employees are the lifeblood of our government. They come in at a low level and work their way up. That's how we renew ourselves," Judge Alsup stated during the proceedings.

The judge's order specifically requires the Office of Personnel Management to revoke a January 20 memo and February 14 email that had instructed federal agencies to identify and terminate "non-mission-critical" probationary employees.

This legal intervention comes in direct response to efforts by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who co-chairs the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to reduce federal workforce expenses.

According to Judge Alsup, the mass terminations that began earlier this month would cause widespread harm, potentially affecting national parks, scientific research, and veterans' services.

While most agencies must comply with the court order, the Department of Defense plans to proceed with firing 5,400 probationary employees on Friday, as it falls outside the scope of the lawsuit filed by employee unions.

However, Judge Alsup has directed the government to inform the Pentagon that the original directives have been invalidated.

The American Federation of Government Employees, a plaintiff in the case, has been vocal in its opposition to the firings.

Union President Everett Kelley described those targeted as "rank-and-file workers who joined the federal government to make a difference in their communities, only to be suddenly terminated due to this administration's disdain for federal employees and desire to privatize their work."

The Justice Department, representing the administration, argued that the communications merely requested agencies to review their probationary workforce and identify potential terminations, characterizing them as requests rather than mandates.

Meanwhile, a separate White House memo issued Wednesday has instructed agencies to submit plans for a "significant reduction" in staffing by March 13, suggesting the administration continues to pursue workforce reductions despite this legal setback.

Edited by Annette George