The administration of President Donald Trump carried out mass layoffs of federal employees in U.S. government agencies during the holiday weekend. Most of the affected employees were probationary workers, whose rights to appeal dismissals are limited. However, union leaders have promised to challenge these layoffs in court.
The largest union representing federal employees plans to fight against the layoffs and take legal action. These actions are part of Trump and businessman Elon Musk's vision to reconfigure a leaner government, which has generated criticism and warnings about potential swift repercussions.
The layoffs have affected employees from various areas, including cartographers, archaeologists, and oncology researchers, which goes against the order to retain employees with critical missions. This process has triggered an administrative complaint filed by employees from nine agencies, generating multiple legal tests for Trump's power.
During this process, both newly hired probationary employees, who have less job protection than permanent ones, and workers with years of service who had been transferred between agencies were laid off. In addition, military veterans and disabled individuals employed through a program that expedited their hiring but put them on probation for two years were also affected.
According to reports from the Washington Post, managers faced pressure to lay off these employees over the weekend, in a situation that has been dubbed in groups and online forums as the 'Valentine's Day Massacre.' This incident reflects a series of moves by the administration that are provoking controversies and legal challenges from affected unions and employees.
