Summary

Trump reversed his directive to fire thousands of probationary (newly-hired) federal employees after a judge ruled the mass terminations were likely illegal.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) clarified that agencies are not required to comply with previous instructions to fire employees who have held their jobs for a year or less. Instead, agencies have until September 13 to develop their own staffing reduction plans.

Some agencies, like the National Science Foundation (NSF), are now rehiring previously fired employees.

Federal labor unions have sued, arguing the firings violated procedural rules and congressional authority. The administration’s sudden reversal still leaves uncertainty about affected workers’ status.