The Trump administration’s aggressive push to slash federal jobs has hit a chaotic snag, as multiple agencies reverse firings and reinstate employees just days after dismissing them. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) revised its own directive, leaving agencies to decide which workers stay or go, triggering confusion across federal departments, reported NYT.
Essential jobs cut—Then restored
Several critical roles were caught in the administration’s layoffs, only to be quickly reinstated amid backlash:
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Fired 700 probationary employees, including those overseeing food safety and medical devices, only to restore dozens within a week.
- Agriculture Department: Cut workers handling
bird flu response but later reversed some terminations due to the outbreak’s severity. - Energy Department: Laid off over 1,000 employees, including nuclear security staff, before bringing some back within 24 hours.
Political and legal pressure forces reversals
Public and political pressure forced the government to reinstate some workers, including:
- 9/11 Health Program: After bipartisan backlash, the CDC reinstated 16 staff members managing aid for survivors.
- National Science Foundation: Initially cut 168 employees but restored 84 after a court ruling favored military veterans and spouses.
Judges intervene, stopping mass layoffs
Legal battles have also stalled the administration’s firings:
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Nearly 200 employees were fired but a judge temporarily halted the dismissals.
- USAID: A planned cut from 10,000 to 290 staff was paused by court order, though layoffs later resumed.
The wave of firings and rehirings has left federal employees on edge, grappling with uncertainty as agencies scramble to balance budget cuts with operational needs. Experts warn the instability could undermine confidence in government institutions, as workers face abrupt job losses—only to be told to return days later.