Federal judge backs Trump’s mass firings, clearing path for government downsizing
By isabelle // 2025-02-24
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  • A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration can proceed with mass layoffs of federal employees, dismissing a lawsuit by labor unions.
  • The layoffs are part of a broader initiative led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has saved $55 billion in its first month.
  • Over 75,000 federal employees have voluntarily resigned under the “Fork in the Road” buyout program, receiving up to eight months of paid vacation.
  • Labor unions argued the layoffs violated separation-of-powers principles, but the judge ruled they must first take their case to the Federal Labor Relations Authority.
  • DOGE has targeted wasteful spending, canceling contracts for DEI training and media subscriptions, as part of Trump’s campaign promise to reduce government inefficiency.
In a significant victory for President Donald Trump’s efforts to streamline the federal government, a federal judge ruled Thursday that the administration can proceed with its plan to carry out mass firings of federal employees. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, an Obama appointee, dismissed a lawsuit filed by labor unions seeking to block the layoffs, stating that the case must first go through the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). The ruling allows the Trump administration to continue its aggressive push to reduce the size of the federal workforce, a key campaign promise aimed at cutting government waste and inefficiency. The layoffs, which have already resulted in thousands of terminations across multiple agencies, are part of a broader initiative led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. DOGE has already saved taxpayers an estimated $55 billion in its first month of operation by canceling wasteful contracts, implementing regulatory reforms, and eliminating redundant positions.

A campaign promise fulfilled

President Trump has long argued that the federal government has grown too large and inefficient, burdening taxpayers with unnecessary costs. The mass firings, coupled with an unprecedented buyout program known as the “Fork in the Road” initiative, have already seen over 75,000 federal employees voluntarily resign in exchange for up to eight months of paid vacation. The administration has framed these actions as necessary to restore fiscal responsibility and ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. “The first month of President Trump’s second administration has been defined by an onslaught of executive actions that have caused, some say by design, disruption and even chaos in widespread quarters of American society,” Judge Cooper wrote in his 16-page ruling. However, he emphasized that the court’s role is to apply the law evenly, regardless of the political consequences.

Unions push back, but judge sides with administration

The lawsuit was brought by a coalition of labor unions, including the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) and the United Auto Workers (UAW), which argued that the layoffs violated separation-of-powers principles by undermining Congress’s authority to fund federal agencies. They also claimed that the firings would cause irreparable harm to their members. Judge Cooper, however, ruled that the unions failed to demonstrate immediate harm and must first take their case to the FLRA. “NTEU fails to establish that it is likely to succeed on the merits because this Court likely lacks subject matter jurisdiction over the claims it asserts,” he wrote. NTEU President Doreen Greenwald criticized the decision, calling the administration’s actions “illegal” and motivated by “cruelty and a total disregard for the government services that will be lost.” However, the Trump administration has maintained that the layoffs target non-essential positions and are part of a broader effort to make government more efficient and accountable to taxpayers.

DOGE delivers results

The Department of Government Efficiency, under Musk’s leadership, has been instrumental in identifying and eliminating wasteful spending. Key savings have been achieved at agencies such as the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Agency for International Development. Notable cuts include canceled contracts for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training and corporate media subscriptions. The federal judge’s ruling marks a significant step forward in President Trump’s efforts to reduce the size and cost of the federal government. While the layoffs have sparked controversy and legal challenges, they are necessary to eliminate waste and ensure that taxpayer dollars are used effectively. With DOGE already saving billions and thousands of non-essential positions eliminated, the Trump administration is delivering on its promise to make government more efficient and accountable. President Trump is clearly determined to reshape the federal workforce, fulfilling a key promise that resonated with millions of voters who believe that government has grown too big and too wasteful. Sources for this article include: AmGreatness.com TheGuardian.com APNews.com TheNationalPulse.com
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