Alsup expressed his frustration with lawyers representing the Trump administration, saying he was tired of seeing them “stonewall” his efforts to find out whether it was OPM or the agencies themselves that directed the mass terminations.
The administration’s lawyers, meanwhile, argued that firings of probationary employees were directed by the heads of the agencies, in accordance with established laws, and that press releases issued by the respective agencies proved that.
Before issuing his ruling, Alsup also clarified with lawyers representing the unions that the administration’s current “reduction in force” orders at several other agencies, including the Department of Education, were still legal and could proceed.
“If it’s done right, there can be a reduction in force within an agency, that has to be true,” Alsup said.
Luz Fuller, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1206 in Sacramento, said she felt a great sense of relief after hearing the ruling.
“I was just so happy for those families that I know were sitting at home. They lost their jobs, they were illegally fired,” she said. “And now they’re going to get contacted by their supervisors. And be made known that they were fired illegally. They can return to work.”
This is a developing story, and it will be updated.