The White House on Thursday afternoon issued a scathing response to a federal judge’s order rehiring tens of thousands of fired probationary workers.
As previously reported, federal judge on Thursday said the Trump Administration’s Office of Personnel Management (OPM) illegally fired thousands of probationary employees.
President Trump has fired tens of thousands of probationary workers as he works to downsize the federal government and cut waste.
US District Judge William Alsup, a Clinton appointee, ordered the Trump Administration to rehire thousands of fired probationary employees in six federal agencies.
The judge blasted the Trump Administration and said he felt “misled by the US Government” as he ordered six federal agencies to offer reinstatement to fired probationary workers.
“It is a sad day when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that’s a lie,” Judge Alsup said. “That should not have been done in our country. It was a sham in order to avoid statutory requirements.”
The six government agencies include: VA, DOD, Energy, Interior, Treasury and Agriculture.
The White House responded to Judge Alsup’s order and said they will immediately fight back and appeal.
“A single judge is attempting to unconstitutionally seize the power of hiring and firing from the Executive Branch. The President has the authority to exercise the power of the entire executive branch – singular district court judges cannot abuse the power of the entire judiciary to thwart the President’s agenda,” Karoline Leavitt said.
If a federal district court judge would like executive powers, they can try and run for President themselves. The Trump Administration will immediately fight back against this absurd and unconstitutional order,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
