A federal court has ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reinstate thousands of workers who were fired during a mass termination event. This court order applies to about 5,600 to 5,900 employees who were let go since February 13, 2025. The USDA has been given just five working days to comply with the reinstatement, which will last temporarily for 45 days, until April 18, 2025. The court found reasonable grounds that these terminations may have been illegal.
A federal court mandates USDA to temporarily reinstate 5,600 to 5,900 employees fired since February 2025, citing potential illegality.
The reasons for this reinstatement are significant. The mass firings likely broke federal personnel laws because there were no individual performance assessments conducted before any employees were terminated. Many of the fired workers received identical termination letters, indicating that the decisions were made based on job titles rather than actual job performance. This approach appears to have sidestepped proper procedures for reducing the workforce.
The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) played a key role in this case. They requested a stay for the terminations at USDA, and Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger praised the MSPB's decision. An OSC investigation found that the USDA relied on guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for these firings. Dellinger urged other agencies to voluntarily reverse any unlawful terminations. Notably, Dellinger emphasized the need for individualized assessments before terminations, highlighting systemic issues in the USDA's approach. The ruling also indicates that mass layoffs may have been unlawful, which could have broader implications for federal employment practices.
This mass firing was part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce the federal workforce, which resulted in over 20,000 job losses, mostly among probationary employees. Legal challenges have emerged, with unions contesting the firings in court.
The impact of this decision on USDA operations raises questions. There are concerns about disruptions to ongoing projects and services. The uncertainty surrounding further staff reductions and available positions for reinstated workers could affect the agency's ability to fulfill its mission.
This ruling may set a precedent for similar challenges against firings in other federal agencies, highlighting the ongoing tension between workforce reductions and employee protections.
