USA 
United Kingdom
The Trump administration has asked the US Supreme Court to overturn a judicial directive requiring the rehiring of thousands of federal employees dismissed as part of a government downsizing effort.
The Justice Department’s filing argues that a lower court judge exceeded his authority by intervening in executive personnel decisions.
The case centers on a March 13 ruling by US District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco, which ordered six federal agencies to reinstate thousands of recently hired probationary employees terminated under Trump’s push to reshape the federal workforce. The administration contends these dismissals were performance-related, but the judge questioned that justification.
The Justice Department’s request for intervention claims the ruling disrupts the federal government’s ability to manage its workforce, stating that the decision “hijacks the employment relationship” between the administration and its employees.
Legal battle over Federal job cuts
The administration’s appeal to the Supreme Court marks a significant escalation in its efforts to streamline the federal workforce, a campaign backed by billionaire advisor Elon Musk. The Justice Department argues that the district court’s ruling violates the separation of powers by granting the judiciary control over executive personnel decisions.
Under federal employment rules, probationary employees - typically those with less than one year in their current roles - have fewer job protections than more tenured staff but still require a valid performance-related reason for dismissal. Judge Alsup’s ruling found that the administration’s mass firings failed to meet that standard.
Unions, advocacy groups, and the state of Washington challenged the dismissals, arguing that the Office of Personnel Management overstepped its authority. Judge Alsup, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton, agreed with the plaintiffs, stating in court that it was “a sad day” when the government dismissed employees under the pretense of poor performance without justification.
The ruling affects workers across multiple agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, and the Treasury Department.
Effort to reshape the Federal Government
Trump has made restructuring the federal workforce a key priority in his second term, moving aggressively to shrink agencies, eliminate thousands of positions, and remove independent agency heads despite existing job protections.
The administration’s push has faced legal challenges, with critics arguing that it undermines federal employment stability and the Government’s ability to retain skilled workers. The Supreme Court’s decision on the case could have far-reaching implications for future federal employment policies and the balance of power between the executive and judicial branches.
