The Trump administration has expanded its efforts to terminate probationary workers within the federal government. These workers, who have been employed for less than a year in most cases, lack job protections and the right to appeal. More than 200,000 employees fall into this category, according to recent data from the US Office of Personnel Management.
Departments such as Energy and Veterans Affairs have already begun laying off probationary workers, following similar actions at the Department of Education, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Small Business Administration. The administration's move is part of a broader effort to restructure and streamline the federal government.
President Donald Trump and his administration have been reshaping the federal workforce since taking office, with top officials being fired, agencies being restructured, and thousands of workers leaving voluntarily. The recent layoffs of probationary workers have been in the works since Trump's first day in office.
Employees received termination notices through emails, form letters, and video calls. The dismissals have caused uncertainty and concern among federal workers, with some expressing shock at the sudden layoffs. The American Federation of Government Employees has criticized the administration's actions, calling it a politically driven mass firing spree.
Despite assurances from agencies like the VA that the layoffs will not impact services, many employees are facing financial and personal challenges due to the sudden loss of their jobs. The administration's workforce optimization executive order, aimed at eliminating waste, has led to large-scale reductions in force across various government agencies.
As the layoffs continue, unions and advocacy groups are gearing up to challenge the administration's actions and protect the rights of federal workers affected by the terminations.
