Judges in two federal court cases cited the use of a firing template that referenced performance issues without a specific assessment of an individual’s work in issuing orders stopping the firings and ordering reinstatement of probationers across most larger agencies. Image: MDart10/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffA group of 16 Democratic senators has asked the inspectors general of two dozen departments and agencies to investigate whether the recent mass firings of probationary employees “violate agency policies or procedures, and whether these decisions could – contrary to the Administration’s stated aim – create additional waste and inefficiency or allow fraud or misconduct in impacted federal programs to go unchecked.”
“These employees appear to have been dismissed for dubious unspecified ‘performance’ reasons,” even though affected employees have presented “evidence of positive performance reviews, awards, and other indications that their work was not only satisfactory but, in many cases, exemplary. This evidence, which is also documented in public reporting, directly contradicts assertions that such firings were due to employees’ ‘performance,’” they wrote.
Judges in two federal court cases cited the use of a firing template that referenced performance issues without a specific assessment of an individual’s work in issuing orders stopping the firings and ordering reinstatement of probationers across most larger agencies. A request by the Justice Department to stay the order in one of the cases—which then could be applied to the second—is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Said the letter, “The decision to terminate thousands of employees across multiple federal agencies will impose undue hardship on millions of Americans who rely on their services. The loss of experienced agency staff may risk causing serious disruptions to nearly 73 million Americans who rely on the Social Security Administration to administer retiree and disability benefits and 9.1 million veterans who depend on the Department of Veteran Affairs, many of which rely on the VA for life saving medical treatments and care.”
It cited reports that among those laid off by the VA are employees involved with purchasing medical supplies, scheduling appointments and arranging rides to medical appointments. “Additionally, taxpayers seeking in-person assistance as they navigate the 2025 filing season may find the support centers they previously relied on completely relocated or shuttered,” it said.
Beyond the layoffs of probationers, the letter asked for assessments of how other staff reductions ordered by the administration will “impact agency operations and contribute to waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs.
The GAO meanwhile has said it will produce a report on the impact on health and safety programs, in response to a separate request from Democratic senators.
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See also,
Top 10 Provisions in the Big Beautiful Bill of Interest to Federal Employees
A Pre-RIF Checklist for Every Federal Employee, From a Federal Employment Attorney
Work Longer or Take the FERS Supplement Now: Which is Better?
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