Photo: Alamy
A judge ruled on Thursday that President Donald Trump can continue his administration’s mass firing of federal workers.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper in Washington, D.C., ruled in Trump’s favor in the effort to cut back government spending, according to Reuters.
The ruling comes as over 75,000 federal workers accepted buyouts from the new administration this month.
Federal agencies have also launched large firings of probationary employees that generally include workers who have served for less than one year.
As RSBN previously reported, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) held meetings with agency leaders earlier this month directing them to fire probationary employees.
“The probationary period is a continuation of the job application process, not an entitlement for permanent employment. Agencies are taking independent action in light of the recent hiring freeze and in support of the President’s broader efforts to restructure and streamline the federal government to better serve the American people at the highest possible standard,” an OPM spokesperson said in a statement.
Earlier this week, Trump also instructed the Justice Department to fire all remaining “Biden-era” U.S. attorneys.
Trump announced the firings on Tuesday in a post to his Truth Social account.
“Over the past four years, the Department of Justice has been politicized like never before. Therefore, I have instructed the termination of ALL remaining ‘Biden Era’ U.S. Attorneys,” Trump wrote.
“We must ‘clean house’ IMMEDIATELY, and restore confidence. America’s Golden Age must have a fair Justice System – THAT BEGINS TODAY!” he added.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is also firing nearly 7,000 probationary workers nationwide beginning Thursday. The layoffs include about 7 percent of the agency’s workforce.
An email obtained by Government Executive read: “Under an executive order, IRS has been directed to terminate probationary employees who were not deemed as critical to filing season.”
Another email addressed to employees said: “We understand that coming in on short notice may be an inconvenience, and we truly appreciate your flexibility.”
The information follows reports that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) held meetings with agency leaders earlier this month directing them to fire probationary employees.
“The probationary period is a continuation of the job application process, not an entitlement for permanent employment. Agencies are taking independent action in light of the recent hiring freeze and in support of the President’s broader efforts to restructure and streamline the federal government to better serve the American people at the highest possible standard,” an OPM spokesperson said in a statement.