Federal Board Reinstates Workers, Trump Faces Setback on Downsizing
The decision to reinstate the employees is a significant development in the ongoing battle between the Trump administration and government watchdogs over the firing of probationary employees. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen what the long-term implications will be for the affected employees and the federal workforce as a whole, particularly in relation to the federal board's role.
The Merit Systems Protection Board has ordered the US Department of Agriculture to temporarily reinstate around 6,000 probationary employees who were fired on February 13, citing reasonable grounds to believe the agency acted illegally, in a major blow to President Donald Trump's efforts to downsize the federal civil service through the federal board.
The board's decision, written by member Cathy Harris, requires the USDA to return the fired workers to their jobs for at least 45 days while an investigation continues. This move signals the board's willingness to reverse the Trump administration's approach to mass firings across federal agencies. The firings were part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to terminate tens of thousands of probationary employees across the federal government.
The Office of Special Counsel is investigating the firings, which it claims were unlawful, and has called on all federal agencies to voluntarily rescind the terminations. The USDA has not commented on the order, but a lawyer for the agency has argued that the terminations were lawful. The reinstatement of the employees is a temporary measure, and it is unclear what will happen to them in the long term.
The Trump administration has already begun laying the groundwork for deeper cuts to agencies across the government, leaving some employees fearful that they may be fired again. However, the Merit Systems Protection Board's decision and the ongoing investigation by the Office of Special Counsel may provide some relief to the affected employees and challenge the administration's efforts to downsize the federal workforce through the federal board.
