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US Government Employees Face Limited Recourse After Firings

U.S. government employees who lose their jobs in President Donald Trump's ongoing purge of the federal workforce face an uphill battle, with potentially little recourse even for those who prevail. The main venue for federal employees to contest firings and other disciplinary actions is the Merit Systems Protection Board, one of several independent federal agencies that have been paralyzed by the Republican president's efforts to bring them under his control. Many workers caught up in Trump's mass firings may be discouraged from pursuing legal action due to the lengthy and complicated administrative process before the merit board.

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US Federal Workers Hit Back at Trump Mass Firings with Class Action Complaints Δ1.90

U.S. government employees who have been fired in the Trump administration's purge of recently hired workers are responding with class action-style complaints claiming that the mass firings are illegal and tens of thousands of people should get their jobs back. These cases were filed at the civil service board amid political turmoil, as federal workers seek to challenge the unlawful terminations and potentially secure their reinstatement. The Merit Systems Protection Board will review these appeals, which could be brought to a standstill if President Trump removes its only Democratic member, Cathy Harris.

US Board Reinstates Thousands of USDA Employees Fired by Trump Administration Δ1.89

The U.S. Merit System Protection Board has ordered the temporary reinstatement of thousands of federal workers who lost their jobs as part of President Donald Trump's layoffs of the federal workforce, following a federal judge's ruling that blocked Trump from removing the board's Democratic chair without cause. The decision brings relief to employees who were fired in February and could potentially pave the way for further reviews of similar terminations. As the administration appeals this decision, it remains unclear whether other affected workers will be reinstated.

US Labor Department Reinstates Workers Targeted in Trump Job Cuts, Union Says Δ1.86

The U.S. Department of Labor has reinstated about 120 employees who were facing termination as part of the Trump administration's mass firings of recently hired workers, a union said on Friday. The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal employee union, said the probationary employees had been reinstated immediately and the department was issuing letters telling them to report back to duty on Monday. This decision reverses earlier actions taken by the Labor Department, which had placed some employees on administrative leave.

Trump's Power to Remove Labor Board Official Has Limits, US Judge Suggests Δ1.83

A federal judge on Friday seemed deeply skeptical of a Trump administration lawyer's claim that she lacks the power to reverse President Donald Trump's removal of a Democratic member from a federal labor relations board. U.S. District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan expressed frustration with claims by Alexander Resar of the U.S. Department of Justice that the constitutional separation of powers bars courts from forcing the president to reinstate someone even if they find that a firing was illegal. The FLRA, which was created by Congress to be independent from the White House, hears disputes between federal agencies and their employees' unions.

CFPB Staff and Leaders Clash Over Agency's Fate Δ1.82

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is embroiled in a contentious battle between its leadership and staff over whether they are allowed to continue working despite claims of a shutdown. A key agency executive, Adam Martinez, will testify next week after a judge expressed concerns about the agency's fate. The dispute centers on whether the Trump administration is attempting to dismantle the CFPB or if it has allowed workers to continue their legally required duties.

Federal Worker Layoffs: A Growing Concern Among Americans Δ1.80

A near-record number of federal workers are facing layoffs as part of cost-cutting measures by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Gregory House, a disabled veteran who served four years in the U.S. Navy, was unexpectedly terminated for "performance" issues despite receiving a glowing review just six weeks prior to completing his probation. The situation has left thousands of federal workers, including veterans like House, grappling with uncertainty about their future.

Fired US Government Workers with Top Security Clearances Were Not Given Exit Briefings Δ1.80

Recent mass layoffs at Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency have resulted in some U.S. government workers with top security clearances not receiving standard exit briefings, raising significant security concerns. Typically, these briefings remind employees of their non-disclosure agreements and provide guidance on handling potential foreign approaches, which is critical given their access to sensitive information. The absence of these debriefings creates vulnerabilities, particularly as foreign adversaries actively seek to exploit gaps in security protocols.

US Judge Reinstates Democratic Labor Board Member Fired by Trump Δ1.80

A federal judge has ruled that President Donald Trump's dismissal of Gwynne Wilcox from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) was unlawful, ordering her immediate reinstatement. This decision restores a critical quorum of three members to the NLRB, which had been unable to address important labor cases following her removal in January. The ruling underscores the legal protections that exist for labor board members, emphasizing the importance of adherence to federal labor laws regarding member removal.

Trump Administration Fires Senior Justice Department Officials Δ1.78

The Trump administration dismissed two senior officials at the U.S. Justice Department, including Liz Oyer, the pardon attorney, and Bobak Talebian, head of the Office of Information Policy, as part of a broader effort to remove career officials. These firings reflect a trend of undermining established positions within the department, traditionally held across different administrations, raising concerns about the integrity of its operations. The dismissals come amid ongoing tensions regarding the administration's commitment to its agenda and the trust placed in career officials.

Firing Frenzy Fuels Family Ties Δ1.78

Laid-off federal workers are discovering that their family members' reactions to their job loss are often more divisive than sympathetic, with some relatives openly celebrating their termination as a means of supporting the administration's cost-cutting measures. As Americans grapple with the consequences of these cuts, families are being torn apart by differing opinions on government spending and public service. The divide is so stark that it's leaving former federal workers feeling isolated and unsupported.

Cybersecurity Laid Off: Former NSA Official Warns of Devastating Impact Δ1.78

A former top official, Rob Joyce, has warned that mass federal layoffs will have a devastating impact on cybersecurity and national security. The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has heard concerns from Joyce, who argues that culling workers from federal departments will erode the pipeline of top talent responsible for hunting and eradicating threats. Over 100,000 federal workers have been made redundant or taken retirement as part of the new administration's plans to drastically downsize the federal government workforce.

US Watchdog Agency Chief Removed After Appeals Court Approves Firing by Trump Δ1.77

The head of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, Hampton Dellinger, was removed from his position following a federal appeals court ruling that allowed President Donald Trump to terminate him without explanation. This decision comes amidst a broader initiative by Trump to reshape the federal government, which includes controversial firings and agency restructuring. Dellinger's removal raises significant concerns about the implications for whistleblower protections and the independence of federal oversight agencies.

CIA Fires Officers at Will, Raising National Security Concerns Δ1.77

The Central Intelligence Agency's recent firings of probationary employees raise concerns about its ability to conduct essential national security missions due to a loss of experienced officers. The move, under the Trump administration's new CIA director John Ratcliffe, has sparked fears that it may compromise the agency's intelligence collection and analysis efforts. As the US continues to face global threats, the CIA's personnel decisions have significant implications for the country's safety.

Federal Worker Cuts to Hit National Security Hard Δ1.77

Former top U.S. cybersecurity official Rob Joyce warned lawmakers on Wednesday that cuts to federal probationary employees will have a "devastating impact" on U.S. national security. The elimination of these workers, who are responsible for hunting and eradicating cyber threats, will destroy a critical pipeline of talent, according to Joyce. As a result, the U.S. government's ability to protect itself from sophisticated cyber attacks may be severely compromised. The probe into China's hacking campaign by the Chinese Communist Party has significant implications for national security.

US Job Cuts Surge 245% in February Due to Federal Government Layoffs Δ1.77

Layoffs announced by US-employers jumped to levels not seen since the last two recessions amid mass federal government job cuts, canceled contracts, and fears of trade wars. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is wielding the axe on public spending, an exercise that has resulted in funding freezes, deep spending cuts, and the purging of thousands of federal government workers. The resulting job losses are having a ripple effect across the economy.

US Health Agency Offers Early Retirement Amid Downsizing Efforts Δ1.76

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has informed employees that they can apply for early retirement over the next 10 days as part of a broader effort to downsize the federal bureaucracy. This move is led by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who oversee the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. The agency's restructuring aims to reduce its workforce and improve operational efficiency.

Diversity Dismissals Begin at Top US Intelligence Agency, Lawyer Says Δ1.76

Officials involved in diversity, equality, inclusion and accessibility programs at the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence have been ordered to resign or be fired, the lawyer for two of the officials said on Friday. This move has sparked concerns about the erosion of inclusivity and equity in the nation's top intelligence agency. The decision comes as part of a broader trend of rolling back diversity initiatives under President Donald Trump's administration.

US Plans to Fire 80,000 Veterans Affairs Workers as Part of Trump Cuts, Sparking Backlash Δ1.76

The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning a drastic reduction in staff, with an expected loss of over 80,000 workers, aimed at returning the agency to its staffing levels from 2019. This move has drawn strong condemnation from military veteran groups and Democrats, who see it as a betrayal of those who have served. The cuts will likely have a significant impact on the care provided to veterans, with critics warning that it could put their health benefits in "grave danger".

Trump Restricts Loan Forgiveness for Nonprofit Workers Δ1.76

President Donald Trump signed an executive order restricting eligibility for a government-run student loan forgiveness program, targeting individuals whose work for nonprofit organizations clashes with the administration’s immigration and other policies. The order aims to exclude employees of organizations involved in “criminal means” or violating immigration law from receiving debt cancellation. Critics argue that this move undermines the public service forgiveness program's purpose.

The IRS Is Set for a Mass Layoff Under Trump's Plan Δ1.76

The Trump administration's plan to cut the Internal Revenue Service's workforce in half could have devastating consequences, including crippled collections and enforcement, slower refunds, and bigger budget deficits. According to tax experts, the move would undo recent efforts to restaff and modernize the IRS, threatening to fundamentally cripple an agency responsible for processing 270 million tax returns each year. The IRS has already laid off thousands of employees as part of Trump's broader effort to slash the federal bureaucracy.

IRS Plans to Cut Up to Half of Workforce, AP Sources Say Δ1.76

The Internal Revenue Service is drafting plans to reduce its workforce by up to half through a combination of layoffs, attrition, and buyouts, according to two people familiar with the situation. This move is part of the Trump administration's efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce through various measures. A significant reduction in force could render the IRS "dysfunctional," said John Koskinen, a former IRS commissioner.

US CHIPS Act Office Lays Off Staff Amid Reorganization Efforts Δ1.75

About one-third of the staff in the U.S. Commerce Department office overseeing $39 billion of manufacturing subsidies for chipmakers was laid off this week, two sources familiar with the situation said. The layoffs come as the new Trump administration reviews projects awarded under the 2022 U.S. CHIPS Act, a law meant to boost U.S. domestic semiconductor output with grants and loans to companies across the chip industry. The staffing cuts are part of a broader effort to reorganize the office and implement changes mandated by the CHIPS Act.

US Labor Market Runs Into Trump’s Reality Δ1.75

The US Federal Reserve may soon be forced to confront the consequences of its role in exacerbating economic uncertainty under the Trump administration. The latest jobs report, which showed a 50th consecutive month of net gains, could be the last of its kind for a while due to unwelcome unpredictability from the Trump administration. The future for the US economy doesn't look nearly as bright as the recent past.

Threats Against Judges Escalate as Musk Leads Charge Δ1.75

Musk's social media posts criticize judges, calling them "corrupt" and "radical"Judges report increased threats, U.S. Marshals warn of high threat levelsLegal experts warn attacks on judges threaten judicial independenceThe U.S. government has long relied on the judiciary to safeguard its democratic foundations, but recent events suggest that this critical institution is facing unprecedented challenges. As Elon Musk and other Trump administration allies continue to attack federal judges, threatening their safety and undermining the rule of law. The escalating threats against judges pose a significant risk to judicial independence, which is essential for upholding constitutional principles.

Trump Axes AI Staff and Research Funding, Weakening the American AI Talent Pipeline Δ1.75

The Trump administration's recent layoffs and budget cuts to government agencies risk creating a significant impact on the future of AI research in the US. The National Science Foundation's (NSF) 170-person layoffs, including several AI experts, will inevitably throttle funding for AI research, which has led to numerous tech breakthroughs since 1950. This move could leave fewer staff to award grants and halt project funding, ultimately weakening the American AI talent pipeline.