The Trump administration has instructed federal agencies to terminate employees still in their probationary periods, potentially affecting up to 200,000 workers. Probationary employees, who typically serve one to two years before gaining full job protections, can be dismissed more easily.
The directive, issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), follows an executive order aimed at reducing the federal workforce. Key agencies, including the Departments of Education and Energy, are expected to implement cuts.
Critics argue the move is politically motivated and could disrupt essential services. Federal employee unions have filed lawsuits, challenging the legality of these firings.
