The Trump administration has taken its battle over federal workforce reductions to the U.S. Supreme Court, challenging a lower court’s ruling that mandates the reinstatement of thousands of federal employees. On Monday, the Justice Department filed a request to block a March 13 order by U.S. District Judge William Alsup, which required six federal agencies to rehire probationary employees fired as part of President Trump’s ongoing efforts to downsize the government.
Judge Alsup’s decision criticized the administration for mass terminations and questioned the government’s claim that the firings were due to poor job performance. In its filing, the Justice Department argues that the judge’s order infringes on the executive branch’s authority, claiming it undermines the separation of powers outlined in the U.S. Constitution. The department stressed that the judiciary should not interfere with the government’s employment decisions.
The dispute centers around probationary employees—those who have been in their positions for less than a year—who have fewer protections than other federal workers. While they can be dismissed for poor performance, critics argue the firings were politically motivated as part of Trump’s broader strategy to shrink the federal bureaucracy.
Judge Alsup’s ruling is a significant setback for Trump’s agenda, backed by billionaire advisor Elon Musk, to reduce the size and scope of the federal government. The decision applies to employees at agencies such as the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Energy, Interior, and the Treasury Department. The ruling is part of a larger legal challenge brought by unions, nonprofit organizations, and the state of Washington, which argue that the mass firings exceeded the Office of Personnel Management’s authority.
In a separate case, a Baltimore-based federal judge ordered the reinstatement of probationary workers at 18 other federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, after a lawsuit from 20 Democratic-led states.
This latest clash comes amid Trump’s broader criticisms of federal judges who have blocked his policies. Recently, the president called for the impeachment of a judge overseeing a legal challenge to deportation flights, and has voiced opposition to nationwide injunctions in his social media posts.
The Justice Department’s filing to the Supreme Court also highlights concerns over what it describes as an “epidemic” of judicial overreach, with more than 40 judicial orders blocking Trump administration policies. The department argues that such rulings undermine the president’s authority and strain the constitutional balance between the branches of government.
As the Trump administration continues its efforts to reshape the federal government, this case represents a critical juncture in the ongoing legal battles over executive power and the limits of judicial intervention.
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