Napa, CA — In a significant legal ruling, U.S. District Judge William Alsup of San Francisco has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of probationary federal employees who were dismissed in a sweeping series of firings earlier this year. The judge’s decision, handed down on Thursday, has major implications for the future of the federal workforce, particularly as the new administration moves forward with plans to dramatically reduce the size of government.
The mass firings, which affected workers across multiple federal agencies, were orchestrated by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) under the leadership of acting director Charles Ezell. However, Judge Alsup found that Ezell and the OPM lacked the legal authority to carry out the terminations. In his ruling, Alsup directed six major government departments — Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, the Interior, and the Treasury — to immediately offer reinstatement to employees who were fired on or around February 13 and 14.
The court’s decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by a coalition of labor unions and nonprofit organizations, which argued that the mass layoffs were not only unlawful but also an attack on the federal government’s ability to function effectively. The plaintiffs, which include groups like the Western Watersheds Project, emphasized that the firings posed significant risks to public lands, wildlife protections, and the rule of law.
“The government’s attempt to circumvent laws regulating workforce reductions is deeply troubling,” said Erik Molvar, executive director of the Western Watersheds Project, one of the plaintiffs in the case. “These firings were a direct assault on vital public services.”
Judge Alsup expressed particular concern over the fact that many of the terminated employees had received positive performance evaluations just months prior to their dismissal. He criticized the government’s justification for the layoffs, which claimed that the firings were based on performance issues. “It is a sad day when our government fires competent employees based on false claims,” Alsup remarked. “That should not be tolerated in our country.”
In his ruling, Alsup highlighted that probationary employees typically lack the legal protections and appeal rights of permanent federal workers, making them vulnerable to dismissal without due process. This, he argued, was a key factor in the unlawful nature of the firings.
Government attorneys defended the terminations, asserting that individual agencies had reviewed the performance of probationary workers and determined they were not fit for continued employment. However, Judge Alsup expressed skepticism about these claims, particularly after Ezell, the OPM director, failed to appear in court or provide a deposition. The government ultimately withdrew Ezell’s declaration in the case.
The ruling marks only the latest chapter in a broader legal battle surrounding the downsizing of the federal workforce under the Trump administration. While some courts have sided with the government, including a judge in Washington D.C. who ruled against a union lawsuit last month, other courts have questioned the legality of the firings, including another judge in Maryland who expressed concerns about the administration’s actions.
There are an estimated 200,000 probationary workers across federal agencies, including entry-level staff and those who have recently received promotions. In California alone, around 15,000 employees in various sectors, from fire prevention to veterans’ care, were impacted by the firings, according to the lawsuit.
In response to Alsup’s ruling, the affected agencies have been ordered to provide a list of the fired employees and details on how they will comply with the reinstatement directive within seven days.
The White House has not yet commented on the decision, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Lo declined to provide further remarks on the case.
As the case progresses, the ruling is expected to have wider implications for the future of federal workforce policies, particularly as the Biden administration faces increasing pressure to balance government efficiency with employee rights.