Firings
‘Exit survey’ of former feds finds fears of civil service politicization under Trump — and many willing to return to their agencies
While the Office of Personnel Management has argued that most of the 2025 federal workforce separations were voluntary, academic researchers countered that many of the departing civil servants reported they felt forced into resigning.
Judge: ‘Article II’ firings violate separation of powers, civil service law
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman said adopting the Trump administration’s argument that the Civil Service Reform Act usurps presidential power would “unsettle the very equilibrium of this nation’s constitutional system.”
DOGE’s layoffs took a toll on Black women. The effects are still being felt
The loss of federal jobs has left many Black women grappling with financial insecurity, emotional distress and an uncertain future, with consequences that extend beyond the workplace.
Former pardon atty calls MSPB ‘a dead end,’ sues for reinstatement
Liz Oyer, who was fired from her position as pardon attorney last year over her refusal to recommend that Mel Gibson’s right to own a firearm be restored, said the Justice Department did not follow its own policies when it removed her.
Pushed out by the Trump administration, these ex-feds want to make agency firings simpler and fairer
Across 12 cases that were analyzed for a new report on federal firing reform, it took an average 19 months for the underperforming employee to be removed or otherwise leave the position.
State Department board’s ability to challenge firings undercut by DOJ
Critics of the decision say the Justice Department's opinion is another step in the Trump administration's goal of making it easier to fire federal employees who are not fully aligned with its policy goals.
As presidents gain power, who keeps government accountable?
COMMENTARY | The Supreme Court's decision expanding presidential authority over independent agencies is about more than executive power, it also raises the stakes for congressional oversight, agency leadership and the federal workforce.
The biggest story in the federal workforce cuts isn't how many left, it's who wasn't replaced
COMMENTARY | The data suggest the workforce reduction reshaped not just the size of government, but the expertise available to carry out its work, one expert argues.
Fired EPA dissenters sue for reinstatement, alleging First Amendment violations
Seven former EPA employees said they were targeted for removal for signing an open “declaration of dissent” in their personal capacities because they had fewer civil service protections rather than any wrongdoing.
Trump wants to scrap a key framework for federal employee discipline
Officials said the Douglas factors, 12 criteria federal agencies have used for 45 years to devise and justify discipline for misconduct, are too restrictive and “mechanistic.” Practitioners disagree.
OPM finalizes ‘Nixonian’ rule centralizing and enabling some federal firings
Under final regulations published this week, the federal government’s dedicated HR agency can remove federal employees from across government over suitability and conduct issues—blocking most avenues for appeal.
Slaughter and the expansion of presidential power
COMMENTARY | The Supreme Court’s latest ruling has dismantled a century of independence for federal regulators, and the ripples of this decision may just be the start of a much broader reshaping of the executive branch.
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President can fire independent agency heads without cause, Supreme Court rules
Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a dissent that the decision “reshapes our government.”
They were told they’d move on. A year later, many fired federal employees say they haven’t been able to
A group of former federal probationary employees surveyed more than 300 of their fired colleagues to assess their job searches, mental health and several other topics.
House GOP probes agency settlements with federal workers
Republican members of the House Oversight and Reform Committee argued agencies should settle less often with feds who allege prohibited personnel practices, but experts say the government acts similarly to private sector litigants.
FEMA brings back employees it recently let go as it looks to 'stabilize' its workforce
The emergency response agency made the decision ahead of hurricane season, and as a judge is demanding more information on the dismissals.
Feds that Trump fired without cause can take their appeals directly to federal court, judges say
The most recent decision involved a challenge from Maurene Comey, a former DOJ attorney and daughter of former FBI Director James Comey.
Dem senators boost effort to reinstate 2 immigration judges
Last month, the Merit Systems Protection Board upended decades of precedent when it ruled that the attorney general has constitutional authority to fire immigration judges on an at-will basis.
Trump’s federal workforce changes cost the economy more than $165.6B, analysis finds
The Partnership for Public Service report includes the costs of the deferred resignation program, severance pay for laid-off civil servants and federal employees who were on paid administrative leave while their firings were challenged in court.
FEMA came up with a goal to cut half its staff without a plan to get there, records show
The total was prescribed by DHS officials and sent to the White House.
A hiring rule meant to help people with disabilities get federal jobs instead left them more vulnerable to DOGE mass firings
Several fired Schedule A employees who spoke with Government Executive say they’re still struggling to find new full-time employment after losing their federal jobs.
