Judge’s Federal Worker Ruling Sparks White House Backlash

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A Democrat-appointed judge wages constitutional war against President Trump’s authority by overruling thousands of federal worker terminations, setting up a showdown between the judicial and executive branches.

Key Takeaways

  • Clinton-appointed U.S. District Judge William Alsup ordered the Trump administration to rehire thousands of recently dismissed federal employees, claiming the firings violated federal “Reduction in Force” procedures.
  • The White House condemned the ruling as “absurd and unconstitutional,” stating it improperly transfers hiring and firing authority from the Executive Branch to the judiciary.
  • The ruling affects employees from six federal departments, including Veterans Affairs, Defense, Energy, Interior, Agriculture, and Treasury.
  • Judge Alsup accused the government of submitting false declarations and using performance-based terminations as a gimmick to bypass legal requirements.
  • The White House vowed to immediately challenge the ruling to preserve presidential authority and continue efforts to reduce government size.

Judicial Overreach Blocks Trump’s Government Reduction Efforts

In a stunning display of judicial activism, U.S. District Judge William Alsup has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of federal workers who were terminated as part of the president’s campaign promise to reduce government bloat. The Clinton-appointed judge’s ruling, which affects employees from six major federal departments, has drawn immediate and fierce pushback from the White House. The terminations, primarily targeting probationary employees who had not yet completed their trial periods, were part of President Trump’s broader effort to streamline government operations and reduce taxpayer burden.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt didn’t mince words in her response, declaring the ruling a direct attack on constitutional separation of powers. “A single judge is attempting to unconstitutionally seize the power of hiring and firing from the Executive Branch,” Leavitt said, highlighting the administration’s view that Judge Alsup has far exceeded his authority. The case represents a significant test of presidential power to reshape the federal bureaucracy that expanded dramatically under previous administrations.

Judge Accuses Administration of “Sham” Declarations

Judge Alsup’s ruling went beyond simply ordering reinstatement, as he also unleashed harsh criticism of the administration’s legal approach. The judge accused government officials of obstructing the court’s ability to determine facts and submitting false declarations. He specifically ordered the deposition of Office of Personnel Management senior adviser Noah Peters and criticized the withdrawal of a declaration by OPM Acting Director Charles Ezell. These extraordinary measures suggest the judge believes the administration deliberately misrepresented its actions to the court.

“The government, I believe, has tried to frustrate the judge’s ability to get at the truth of what happened here, and then set forth sham declarations,” said U.S. District Judge William Alsup.

The dismissals targeted probationary federal workers, many of whom were veterans who constitute approximately 30% of the federal workforce. According to court documents, many had actually received positive performance reviews before being terminated, undermining the administration’s claim that the firings were performance-based. This inconsistency appears to have particularly troubled Judge Alsup, who characterized the performance rationale as a “gimmick” designed to circumvent legal requirements for workforce reductions.

Unions Celebrate Victory Over Presidential Authority

Labor unions representing government employees were quick to celebrate the ruling as a victory for the administrative state, with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) leading the charge. The unions and several left-leaning interest groups had argued that the terminations were not only unlawful but caused irreparable harm to workers. The judge’s decision reinforces the substantial barriers that exist to reforming and reducing the federal bureaucracy, even for a sitting president with clear voter mandate.

“If a federal district court judge would like executive powers, they can try and run for President themselves. The Trump Administration will immediately fight back against this absurd and unconstitutional order,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

The ruling has significant implications for President Trump’s agenda of government reform and fiscal responsibility. The Justice Department has maintained that the firings were entirely legitimate and aligned with the administration’s goal of reducing government size and cutting unnecessary spending. After years of government expansion under previous administrations, Trump’s efforts to streamline operations face yet another judicial roadblock from unelected judges who appear determined to preserve the status quo regardless of electoral outcomes or constitutional limits.

Sources:

  1. White House slams judge for ordering Trump admin to rehire thousands of federal workers: ‘Absurd and unconstitutional’
  2. Judge orders thousands of federal workers reinstated; slams ‘sham’ government declaration – ABC News
  3. Thousands of fired federal workers must be offered reinstatement, a judge rules

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