A US judge has ruled that six federal agencies must reinstate thousands of workers fired as part of former President Donald Trump’s effort to reduce government size. The ruling, delivered by Judge William Alsup, found that the justification of “poor performance” was a false pretense used to bypass statutory requirements.
Agencies Ordered to Reinstate Employees
The lawsuit, filed by employee unions, led to a court order instructing the following departments to rehire affected workers:
- Treasury
- Veterans Affairs
- Agriculture
- Defense
- Energy
- Interior
“It is a sad day when our government fires good employees under false pretenses,” Alsup said during a hearing at the US District Court in San Francisco.
Trump’s Government Downsizing Faces Legal Challenges
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has aggressively cut federal programs and dismissed thousands of employees. However, legal challenges have emerged, with multiple courts intervening to halt the widespread layoffs.
Impact and Reactions
- The ruling marks a significant legal setback for Trump’s administration.
- Employee unions have welcomed the decision, stating it protects workers from politically motivated dismissals.
- Legal experts suggest this case could set a precedent for future employment-related government actions.
