Feb 26, 2025 - Business

Trump administration ordered to reinstate 6 fired federal workers

Rebecca Falconer

President Donald Trump listens to a reporter's question during a news conference at the White House on February 24. — President Trump at the White House on Monday. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Six probationary federal workers the Trump administration fired can stay in their jobs for now, per a 45-day stay the independent agency that oversees employee complaints against the government issued on Tuesday evening.

The big picture: Hampton Dellinger, who's suing the administration after President Trump moved to fire him from his role leading the Office of Special Counsel, brought the case to the Merit Systems Protection Board due to concerns the agencies' action against the workers may violate the law.

MSPB board member Raymond Limon said in the order he found "reasonable grounds to believe that each of the six agencies engaged in a prohibited personnel practice."
Dellinger has indicated he may investigate more cases as DOGE-driven mass firings continue across the federal government amid a push the Trump administration says is designed to cut waste.

What's next: The Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Office of Personnel Management and Veterans Affairs must submit evidence showing they're complying with the order within five working days of it.

Representatives for the agencies and the White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

Go deeper: DOGE workers quit, refuse to "dismantle public services" on Musk's orders

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Trump administration ordered to reinstate 6 fired federal workers

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