Judge Rules Trump's Mass Firings Can Continue

THE NEWS

On February 20, 2025, a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration can proceed with its plan to reduce the federal workforce through mass firings of probationary employees and voluntary buyouts.

U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper, an Obama appointee, denied a request by federal labor unions to block the layoffs, stating that the court lacked jurisdiction and that the unions must first pursue their claims through the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA).

The decision allows the administration to continue its efforts to shrink the federal workforce by up to 10%, targeting 220,000 probationary employees and offering buyouts to 75,000 workers.

TIMELINE

February 11, 2025: Executive Order Issued

• President Trump signs an order directing federal agencies to prepare for “large-scale reductions in force” (RIFs) to eliminate “waste, bloat, and insularity.”

February 12, 2025: Deferred Resignation Deadline

• Roughly 75,000 federal workers accept buyouts offering full pay and benefits through September 30, 2025, in exchange for resigning.

February 13, 2025: Unions File Lawsuit

• Five unions, including the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), sue to block firings, arguing they violate federal law and Congress’s authority.

February 18, 2025: Judge Questions Jurisdiction

• Judge Cooper hints during a hearing that unions should take claims to the FLRA, not federal court.

February 20, 2025: Ruling Allows Firings to Proceed

• Cooper denies the unions’ request for a restraining order, citing jurisdictional limits. Firings begin at agencies like the IRS, VA, and CDC.

REACTIONS

Unions and Workers

• Doreen Greenwald (NTEU President): Called the ruling a “temporary setback” and vowed to continue fighting. “These indiscriminate firings devastate families and harm public services.”

• Elizabeth Aniskevich (Fired CFPB Attorney): “We were told our skills don’t fit agency needs, but this is about politics, not performance.”

Trump Administration

• DOJ Statement: Argued the layoffs are legal and necessary to “streamline and modernize the workforce.”

• Elon Musk (DOGE Head): Pledged to “eliminate waste,” citing SpaceX’s efficiency as a model.

WHAT'S NEXT

FLRA Challenges: Unions will refile complaints with the FLRA, though the board’s leadership is in flux after Trump fired its chair.

Appeals Court Battles: Unions may seek appellate review if the FLRA rules against them.

Additional Lawsuits: Separate cases in California and Boston challenge probationary firings and buyouts.