Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Workforce Optimization
The operational order directing the mass termination of probationary federal employees and implementing DOGE-recommended workforce reductions across all agencies. This is the order that triggered the largest category of federal workforce litigation. Status: The administration has had remarkable success at the Supreme Court on workforce cases despite repeated lower-court findings of illegality.
Linked Court Cases (3)
***AFGE v. OPM***, No. 3:25-cv-01780 (N.D. Cal.) -- Reinstatement of approximately 16,000 terminated probationary employees. Judge Alsup ordered reinstatement; SCOTUS lifted the order on standing grounds.
***AFGE v. Trump***, No. 3:25-cv-03698 (N.D. Cal.) -- Challenge to RIF plans across 22 agencies. Judge Illston blocked; SCOTUS lifted the injunction.
***New York v. McMahon***, No. 1:25-cv-10601 (D. Mass.) -- Department of Education RIF. SCOTUS sided with the administration; Sotomayor dissent.
Video coverageRelated Executive Orders
Litigation Summary
***AFGE v. OPM***, No. 3:25-cv-01780 (N.D. Cal.) -- Reinstatement of approximately 16,000 terminated probationary employees. Judge Alsup ordered reinstatement; SCOTUS lifted the order on standing grounds.; ***AFGE v. Trump***, No. 3:25-cv-03698 (N.D. Cal.) -- Challenge to RIF plans across 22 agencies. Judge Illston blocked; SCOTUS lifted the injunction.; ***New York v. McMahon***, No. 1:25-cv-10601 (D. Mass.) -- Department of Education RIF. SCOTUS sided with the administration; Sotomayor dissent.; ***Jackson v. Kennedy***, No. 1:25-cv-01750 (D.D.C.) -- Class action by terminated HHS employees. Motion to dismiss denied Jan. 22, 2026.