In a recent revision of a shutdown guidance document, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) removed references to the Government Employees Fair Treatment Act of 2019, which guarantees backpay for federal workers during a government shutdown. The 2019 law, enacted to address uncertainties faced by federal employees, ensured both furloughed and excepted workers would receive retroactive pay. This change comes as senior administration officials are reportedly developing guidance suggesting furloughed workers are not entitled to backpay. However, the original law, signed by then-President Trump, explicitly stated its application to any lapse in appropriations starting after December 22, 2018, leading to criticism from lawmakers and union leaders.
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Former President Trump announced a meeting with Russ Vought, known for Project 2025, to discuss potential cuts to Democrat-led agencies. Trump framed this as an unexpected opportunity to “Make America Great Again.” Reports suggest mass layoffs of federal employees could begin imminently following a government shutdown, as indicated by Vought in a private call with GOP members.
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The General Services Administration (GSA) is asking hundreds of federal employees who lost their jobs due to cost-cutting measures to return to work, after being on a paid vacation for seven months. This reversal is a result of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) downsizing, which was deemed too aggressive, leading to understaffing and costly inefficiencies, including lease terminations that were later reversed. The GSA, which manages government workplaces, experienced significant cuts to its workforce, leading to expired leases and financial repercussions for the government. The Government Accountability Office is currently investigating the GSA’s management of its workforce and lease terminations.
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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has initiated a process to eliminate collective bargaining rights for numerous federal health agency employees, a move deemed illegal by the involved unions. HHS is also ending recognition of these unions and reclaiming office space and equipment previously allocated for union activities. This follows a pattern set by the Trump administration, which has previously targeted agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Environmental Protection Agency. Unions, such as the American Federation of Government Employees, argue that these contracts support a stable workforce and are critical for responding to public health emergencies, including advocating for improved safety measures after recent events at the CDC.
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U.S. federal employees may now engage in religious proselytization in the workplace. This is a pretty significant shift, and it’s stirring up a lot of strong reactions, to say the least. The Trump administration made this move, essentially allowing federal workers to try and recruit their colleagues to their own religion. The official line is that employees can “persuade others of the correctness of their own religious views” in the office, and that supervisors can even attempt to recruit their employees, as long as their efforts aren’t “harassing.”
This whole situation raises immediate concerns, and it’s easy to see why. The potential for abuse is practically built-in.… Continue reading
To fund President Trump’s budget bill, Senate Republicans proposed significantly increasing retirement contributions for federal employees, raising them to 15.6% of their salaries. This measure exempts members of Congress, their staff, and federal law enforcement from the increased contributions, as well as a 10% fee on union dues deductions. The bill is being pushed through the reconciliation process to bypass the filibuster, despite opposition within the GOP and criticism of its impact on the deficit and potential cuts to social programs. This is occurring amidst the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the federal workforce.
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The Supreme Court stayed a lower court order requiring the reinstatement of approximately 16,000 federal employees fired by the Trump administration, dissenting Justices Sotomayor and Jackson noted. The Court’s decision focused on the lack of standing of the nonprofit groups bringing the suit, leaving the claims of labor unions potentially open for further litigation. A similar, but distinct, Maryland ruling requiring administrative leave for affected employees remains in effect. The affected agencies include the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Energy, Interior, Agriculture, and Treasury.
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Following President Trump’s establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency, thousands of federal employees, including many probationary workers, were dismissed. Among them were at least two Bureau of Fiscal Service employees who, identifying as Trump voters, now regret their choice due to the perceived unfairness of the firings. A court order mandated the rehiring of over 17,000 probationary employees, though they remain on administrative leave. This controversy, potentially impacting Republican support, may reach the Supreme Court.
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The mass firing of federal employees under the Trump-Musk administration creates a significant national security risk. Thousands of individuals with access to sensitive information are now vulnerable to recruitment by foreign adversaries like Russia and China. This unprecedented situation presents a substantial counterespionage challenge for the U.S., as the number of potential targets vastly surpasses typical annual turnover. Experts warn that even a single compromised former employee could cause a national security crisis, highlighting the increased risk posed by this widespread job displacement.
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A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction ordering six federal agencies to immediately reinstate probationary employees fired as part of the Trump administration’s workforce reduction efforts. Judge Alsup deemed the firings a “sham,” finding that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) unlawfully directed the agencies to terminate employees under the guise of performance issues, circumventing federal law. The judge rejected the Justice Department’s arguments, criticizing their lack of transparency and refusal to produce key testimony. This ruling is significant, impacting thousands of employees and challenging the administration’s authority to rapidly shrink the federal workforce. The White House has denounced the decision as “absurd and unconstitutional.”
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood