Supreme Court Challenge: Trump's Workforce Purge Under Scrutiny

The Trump administration's attempt to downsize the federal workforce faces a critical test as the U.S. Supreme Court reviews a directive reinstating dismissed employees. A March 13 order by Judge Alsup demanded the rehiring of thousands of probationary workers, casting doubt on the administration's justification for the firings.

The Trump administration has escalated its efforts to reshape the federal workforce by appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court against a judicial directive that ordered the rehiring of dismissed employees. This move follows a decision by San Francisco-based U.S. District Judge William Alsup, who on March 13 instructed six federal agencies to reinstate thousands of recently-terminated probationary workers.

Judge Alsup criticized the administration for improperly dismissing the probationary employees en masse and questioned the government's claims that the firings were due to poor performance. These employees, while having less than a year in their current roles, include seasoned federal workers who have transitioned to new positions and enjoy fewer job protections.

The judge's decision marks a significant setback for Trump's high-profile push, supported by advisor Elon Musk, to significantly reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy. Unions, nonprofit groups, and the state of Washington have alleged that the U.S. Office of Personnel Management overstepped its authority in executing the mass terminations, an accusation Judge Alsup upheld.

(With inputs from agencies.)