In a recent series of purges by the Trump administration, thousands of federal employees have been laid off, leaving agencies and workers reeling as President Donald Trump and advisor Elon Musk aim to cut federal spending. Many terminated employees received letters questioning their performance, even those with positive reviews. The cuts have targeted probationary and recently promoted workers, with upcoming reductions expected to affect those with full civil service protections.

A memo from the offices of Personnel Management and Budget sets a deadline for large-scale reductions in force by March 13, pushing for more cost-effective government operations. Agencies are directed to submit plans for relocating offices to less costly parts of the country by April 14. Some federal workers are given an ultimatum to move to Washington or face adverse actions, sparking concerns about pushing employees out of their jobs.

However, the Trump administration faced a setback as Judge William Alsup temporarily blocked the layoffs, deeming them likely unlawful. Alsup ordered the Office of Personnel Management to halt the firings, emphasizing that the agency lacked the authority to make personnel decisions for other agencies. While the ruling did not mandate rehiring terminated employees, it highlighted legal challenges to the administration’s mass firings. The ongoing layoffs raise questions about the impact on federal workers and the administration’s approach to reducing government spending.