In the most significant challenge so far to President Donald Trump’s aggressive agenda to shrink and reshape the sprawling, 2.3-million-person bureaucracy, three federal judges delivered major setbacks to his administration on Wednesday and Thursday, halting key policies and forcing the reinstatement of thousands of federal workers.
The rulings, issued by judges appointed by both Democratic and Republican presidents, underscore the legal vulnerabilities of Trump’s rapid-fire executive actions and raise questions about the administration’s adherence to the rule of law.
The rulings targeted two of Trump’s most contentious policies: the mass firing of probationary federal workers and the administration’s handling of January 6 defendants facing unrelated charges.
The decisions, which span multiple states and agencies, represent a significant roadblock to Trump’s efforts to reshape the federal government and his broader agenda of reducing the size of the bureaucracy.
At the heart of the rulings is Trump’s controversial decision to fire thousands of probationary federal employees—workers still in their initial evaluation period—across 18 federal agencies.
The administration argued that the terminations were based on poor performance or misconduct, but federal judges in Maryland and California saw through the claims, ruling that the firings were part of a broader effort to downsize the federal workforce without following proper legal procedures.
In Maryland, U.S. District Judge James Bredar, an Obama appointee, ordered the immediate reinstatement of all probationary employees fired since January 20, when Trump took office.
Bredar’s ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by 20 Democratic attorneys general, who accused the administration of violating federal laws governing large-scale layoffs, known as Reductions in Force (RIFs).
These laws require agencies to provide advance notice to states, consider employees’ tenure and performance, and offer protections for military veterans—none of which were followed, according to the lawsuit.
Bredar didn’t mince words, comparing the administration’s approach to the Silicon Valley mantra of “move fast and break things.”
“Move fast? Fine,” Bredar said. “Break things? If that involves breaking the law, then that becomes problematic.”
In California, U.S. District Judge William Alsup, a Clinton appointee, delivered an even more scathing rebuke, calling the firings a “sham” and a “gimmick” designed to circumvent federal employment laws.
Alsup ordered six federal agencies—including the Departments of Defense, Treasury, and Agriculture—to rehire thousands of workers and barred the Office of Personnel Management from directing further mass terminations.
He also lambasted the Justice Department for submitting “sham” documents and stonewalling efforts to uncover the truth, accusing government lawyers of misleading the court.
The rulings mark a significant blow to Trump’s efforts to shrink the federal workforce, a cornerstone of his campaign to reduce government spending and extend $5 trillion in tax breaks that primarily benefit billionaires and corproations.
The administration now faces the daunting task of appealing both decisions or seeking intervention from the Supreme Court—a process that could take months or even years.
In a separate but equally consequential ruling, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, a Trump appointee, raised serious concerns about the administration’s handling of pardons for terrorists involved in the failed January 6, 2021, coup attempt.
Friedrich demanded clarity on the scope of a pardon issued to Dan Wilson, a Kentucky militia member who participated in the Capitol riot. Wilson was pardoned for his role in the insurrection but not for unrelated gun charges—until the Justice Department abruptly reversed course, claiming Trump’s pardon covered those charges as well.
Friedrich called the administration’s broad interpretation of the pardon “extraordinary” and questioned whether the president could unilaterally expand the scope of a pardon months after it was issued.
Her ruling could have major implications for other January 6 defendants facing unrelated charges, as it challenges the administration’s ability to issue blanket pardons without clear legal boundaries.
The Fallout: A Presidency Under Scrutiny
The trio of rulings highlights the growing legal challenges facing the Trump administration as it seeks to implement its agenda through executive action. While Trump has long prided himself on his ability to “move fast and break things,” the courts are increasingly pushing back, insisting that the administration follow established laws and procedures.
The decisions also underscore the political and economic consequences of Trump’s policies. The mass firings have left states scrambling to support thousands of suddenly unemployed workers, while the administration’s handling of January 6 pardons has raised concerns about accountability and the rule of law.
For Trump, the rulings represent a significant setback at a time when his administration is already facing mounting legal and political challenges. As the cases move through the appeals process, the president will be forced to confront the limits of his executive power—and the enduring strength of the judicial system.
The Trump administration has already signaled its intent to appeal the rulings on probationary workers, setting the stage for a protracted legal battle. Meanwhile, Judge Friedrich’s decision on the scope of Trump’s pardons could have far-reaching implications for January 6 defendants and the broader question of presidential authority.
For now, the rulings serve as a stark reminder that even the most powerful president must operate within the bounds of the law.
As Judge Alsup put it, “You can’t just break things and expect the courts to look the other way.”
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