Updated on Feb. 13 at 11:19 p.m.
The Trump administration is initiating an extensive dismissal of federal employees still within their probationary periods. This strategic move could potentially lead to the termination of hundreds of thousands of staff across various government agencies.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has directed government agencies to terminate employees in their probationary periods, typically those hired within the last one or two years, depending on their hiring mechanism. Limited exceptions are being considered, according to a source familiar with the directive. Previously, OPM requested agencies compile lists of probationary period employees, and some federal offices issued warnings that terminations might be imminent.
At the Forest Service, 2,400 recent hires are reportedly being let go, as stated by Andy Vanderheuel of the National Federation of Federal Employees. While the agency is excluding certain roles such as firefighters, law enforcement, meteorologists, and bridge inspectors, it is dismissing other recent hires in the competitive service. Termination notices were expected to be distributed starting Thursday evening on the west coast and by Friday morning on the east coast.
The Veterans Affairs Department announced the dismissal of 1,000 probationary employees, excluding those directly providing care and benefits to veterans. Despite the significant number, this represents only a fraction of the department’s 43,000 employees in their trial periods. VA Secretary Doug Collins stated, “This was a tough decision, but ultimately it’s the right call to better support the Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors the department exists to serve.”
OPM itself abruptly terminated its probationary period employees on Thursday, giving staff less than an hour to vacate their offices and lose access to work accounts. Prior to OPM's guidance, dismissals had already occurred at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Small Business Administration, Education Department, and General Services Administration. Termination notices often cited poor performance or a mismatch of skills with agency needs, although some employees reported receiving outstanding performance reviews prior to dismissal.
Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, announced the union's intent to contest the firings. He argued that the government is dismissing the next generation of public servants necessary for effective agency function. Kelley accused the administration of politically motivated firings targeting employees hired before Trump's tenure, rather than addressing actual performance issues.
Targeting probationary employees is among several strategies employed by the Trump administration to downsize the federal workforce. Other measures include a “deferred resignation program” and early retirement offers, moves to close certain agencies, and threats of widespread layoffs. Additionally, an executive order mandates that once the hiring freeze is lifted, agencies are to hire only one new employee for every four who leave, while planning for substantial workforce reductions.
The actions against probationary employees do not classify as layoffs or Reductions in Force (RIFs), which follow unique procedures. As of May 2024, OPM data indicated over 200,000 employees were hired within the last year. Probationary employees can appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board if they believe their dismissals were politically motivated.
David DiMolfetta contributed to this report, which includes updates on the situation at the VA.
