The Trump administration has intensified its campaign to dismiss probationary federal employees, targeting those with less than a year or two of service for layoffs due to their limited job protections and appeal rights. More than 200,000 employees fell under this category as of 2024, according to the US Office of Personnel Management.

Recent terminations have occurred at various departments, including Energy and Veterans Affairs, following previous layoffs at Education, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and Small Business Administration. This shift in approach contrasts with the previous policy of placing employees on paid administrative leave.

The dismissals, communicated via emails, form letters, and video calls, have stirred controversy. The American Federation of Government Employees criticized these actions as politically driven, emphasizing that the affected employees were dedicated public servants. The administration defended the move as part of broader restructuring efforts to optimize federal operations.

In response to the terminations, the AFGE plans to challenge what they view as an abuse of the probationary period. Employees affected by these layoffs expressed shock and concern over the sudden loss of their jobs, with some describing the impact on their families and financial stability.

The workforce optimization executive order signed by President Trump directed agencies to prepare for significant reductions in force, leading to layoffs across various federal agencies. The National Federation of Federal Employees reported layoffs at Forest Service and Energy Department, underscoring the widespread impact of these actions.

CNN reporters Megan Trimble, Kaanita Iyer, and Ella Nilsen contributed to the coverage, shedding light on the developments surrounding the dismissals of probationary federal employees.