A federal judge has ruled against blocking the Trump administration from terminating intelligence officers who had been involved in diversity initiatives at the CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Senior US District Judge Anthony J. Trenga denied a request for a preliminary injunction that would have prevented the officers from being fired or placed on unpaid leave.
President Trump issued an executive order on January 20 directing the cessation of 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' efforts across the government. Following this directive, on January 22, the agencies initiated a review of the roles of 51 officers and placed them on administrative leave due to their involvement in diversity-related functions.
The judge's decision paves the way for the government to proceed with the termination of these 51 officers. It is noted that federal judges across the country have generally refrained from intervening in personnel matters as the new administration aims to reduce the federal workforce and remove civil servants deemed to be in opposition to its policies.
